The Norwegian government supports Spain in the dispute over uncontrolled immigration. Italy has suspended Schengen for one month. Instead of engaging in self-criticism, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez accused his critics of “selfishness”.
At 10:00 a.m., EU interior ministers will meet by video conference to discuss the crisis. Astri Aas-Hansen will take part, and Norway says it understands Spain’s response.
Among the 22 countries, several believe Spain effectively invited the invasion by signalling the legalisation of illegal immigration and conveying the message that those arriving by sea would not be returned.
Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide (Labour Party) says the flow of migrants to the Spanish exclave of Ceuta was an organised and planned operation. On Tuesday, EU interior ministers will meet to discuss how Europe should respond to similar situations.
Around 60,000 migrants from Morocco crossed the border into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta before the weekend. Spanish authorities have recorded 80 deaths on the Spanish side of the border.
Speaking to Adresseavisen, the Foreign Minister expressed support for the Spanish authorities.
Says Europe Must Prepare
“It was an almost unmanageable situation, which I would say Spain handled well in the end,” he said.
Eide pointed out that the migrant influx was not spontaneous.
“All the evidence suggests that this was organised and planned. It is not as though 60,000 people suddenly decide to swim across on the same day,” he said.
He compared the situation to 2015, when more than 5,000 refugees crossed into Norway from Russia by bicycle at Storskog.
“Europe must prepare for hybrid campaigns like this,” Eide told the newspaper.
EU Divided Ahead of Meeting
EU interior ministers will hold a video conference on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m. Norwegian time to discuss the migrant crisis.
Italy and Denmark have adopted the hardest line, and Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen has warned that “uncontrolled immigration poses a threat to Europe”.
According to Politico, a spokesperson for the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs said relations with Morocco are excellent and that cooperation on migration and other issues remains very good.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez responded in a letter to EU leaders on Saturday, attacking what he described as a “selfish” attitude on the part of other EU member states.
Within hours, 22 countries, led by Italy, Denmark, Germany and Hungary, sent a counter-letter calling for an emergency meeting with the aim of maintaining a tough immigration policy.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has described the meeting as an opportunity to draw “lessons” for a “common European response” to irregular migration. (NTB)