Meloni e 21 leader Ue: 'Vertice su Ceuta'. E' scontro con Sanchez

Italy and 21 other European Union leaders have called for an urgent meeting of interior ministers to address the migrant crisis unfolding in Ceuta, Spain’s North African enclave. The move has sparked a sharp disagreement with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, who accused Italy of acting in a manner he described as “imperdonable,” driven by “ignorance or political interests.” The dispute centers around the temporary suspension of the Schengen border-free zone between Italy and Spain, which Italy announced following a surge in illegal crossings into Ceuta. The situation escalated rapidly over the past week, with thousands of migrants attempting to cross the Mediterranean into Ceuta, many arriving by sea. At least 49,000 individuals entered Ceuta within 24 hours, according to unofficial estimates, while the death toll from drownings during the crossing rose to 18. The influx has led to violent clashes between migrants and security forces, including incidents involving the throwing of stones at border checkpoints. These developments have triggered widespread public concern across Europe, prompting calls for coordinated action. In response, Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, alongside Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen, spearheaded a diplomatic initiative endorsed by 22 EU heads of state and government. Their joint letter to European Council President António Costa, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, and Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin urged immediate and unified measures to manage the crisis. The document emphasized the need for a “coordinated, rapid, and effective European response” to the migration emergency, highlighting both the risks posed by irregular arrivals and the potential impact of mass regularization policies implemented by Spain. The letter criticized the Spanish government for its approach to the issue, particularly citing the Supreme Court’s ruling that denied the use of “hot returns”, immediate expulsions, of migrants intercepted at sea. While this ruling does not prohibit repatriations, it has been interpreted by some as allowing migrants who reach Ceuta to remain in the EU indefinitely, potentially encouraging further unauthorized entries. The 22 signatories argue that such perceptions could undermine trust in the common migration policy and encourage more dangerous attempts to cross the Mediterranean. Spain, however, has defended its actions, stating that the court’s decision was misrepresented online and that it continues to enforce strict return procedures through regular channels. The Spanish government has also highlighted its efforts to cooperate with Morocco under existing bilateral agreements aimed at facilitating the return of undocumented migrants. Despite these efforts, the letter from Italy and Denmark suggests that the current level of cooperation is insufficient and that additional support from the EU is necessary to restore control over the external borders. One of the key demands in the letter is the activation of Frontex, the EU’s border agency, to enhance surveillance and coordination along the southern flank of the bloc. The document also calls for a review of the effectiveness of the EU-Morocco partnership in managing the flow of migrants. While acknowledging that there have been no unauthorized movements from Ceuta into mainland Spain or other EU countries, the letter warns that secondary flows could emerge and urges readiness to reinforce internal border controls if needed. Italy’s decision to suspend Schengen temporarily with Spain has drawn criticism from Spain, which views it as an unjustified interference in its sovereignty. The Spanish Foreign Ministry has summoned the Italian ambassador to protest the measure, accusing Italy of undermining the stability of the EU’s external borders. Meanwhile, Italian lawmakers, including Interior Minister Matteo Piantanida and Deputy Prime Minister Antonio Tajani, have framed the move as a necessary step to protect national security and uphold the rule of law. Tajani, in particular, has linked the crisis to broader concerns about the failure of “indiscriminate reception policies” and has criticized Sánchez for what he describes as a “left-wing ideological illusion” that allows too many people to enter the country. He has also referenced historical moments, such as a 1997 video of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi expressing emotional solidarity with Albanian migrants, to underscore the importance of regulated immigration. The Catholic Church, represented by Cardinal Matteo Maria Zuppi, has called for a spirit of solidarity among EU nations, warning against divisive rhetoric that could lead to collective harm. The church emphasizes that addressing migration requires unity rather than confrontation, stressing that “if someone holds a torch, we all risk burning.” As tensions mount, the European Council is expected to convene an extraordinary meeting of interior ministers via videoconference on Tuesday. This gathering will aim to assess the situation, mobilize available tools, and provide support to Spain in restoring order at the frontier. The outcome of this meeting will likely shape the trajectory of EU migration policy in the coming weeks, especially as the debate over border control and humanitarian obligations continues to divide member states.