Spain accuses some EU countries of selfishness amid migration crisis
Spain has faced a serious migration issue (photo: Getty Images)
Madrid has blasted some European neighbors over responding to the crisis with indifference and selfishness.
Marlaska criticizes partners' response
Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska said the situation in Ceuta had completely reversed within 24 hours.
At the same time, he described the response of several European partners as selfish, specifically mentioning Italy, which announced a day earlier that it would introduce controls on travelers from non-EU countries arriving from Spain.
"There are other countries that have shown a selfish, indifferent, and irresponsible attitude, making the selfishness of domestic politics an absolutely unacceptable course of action," Marlaska said.
The minister described images taken in the enclave last Thursday as shocking. However, he said the government had managed to turn the situation around in a short period of time.
Illegal migrants won't be granted legal status
Marlaska stressed that those who entered Ceuta illegally would have no possibility of obtaining legal status.
"Our country is a welcoming country. But it is also a country that seeks to uphold the law. Those who break the law do not have the support of the Spanish authorities," the minister explained.
Marlaska also praised Morocco's assistance and cooperation. According to him, this cooperation made it possible to improve the situation that emerged in the enclave last Thursday.
Ceuta migration crisis: What happened
Spanish Ceuta has faced its largest migration crisis in years. Nearly 60,000 people entered the autonomous city in a single day, while dozens of migrants died trying to reach the enclave.
The international response was swift. US President Donald Trump compared the events in Spain to an invasion and said a similar situation could occur in the United States.
Meanwhile, Italy took decisive action. Its Interior Ministry announced the suspension of Schengen rules with Spain and the closure of maritime and air borders.
Amid the escalation, France also outlined its position.
President Emmanuel Macron said Paris had deployed additional military units, aircraft, and drones to the border with Spain.
As previously reported, tensions began to ease by the end of the day.
More than 48,000 migrants returned from Ceuta to Morocco. However, the death toll among those attempting to reach the enclave continued to rise.
