“Borders must be protected by all available national means, and if they are not enough, other means can be used. It is not very good when conditions that increase attractiveness for migrants are created, especially those reinforced by propaganda measures,” the minister told journalists on Monday.
Last week, about 60,000 migrants arrived in Ceuta, during which at least 72 people died.
The largest influx of migrants into the enclave caused an international crisis for Spain, and European partners criticized Madrid for its immigration policy.
In a letter addressed to EU leaders released over the weekend, leaders of 21 countries, including Lithuania, urged Ireland to urgently convene an extraordinary ministerial meeting to coordinate the European response to the migrant crisis in the Ceuta enclave. They will discuss the situation via video conference on Tuesday.
The country leaders called for immediate consideration of urgent EU measures and necessary support to Spain to restore effective control of the Community’s external border and prevent further uncontrolled border crossings.
“The European Union has experienced several painful migration-related crises, some of which ended in political destabilization in certain countries. Therefore, everyone is interested in preventing a recurrence,” explained K. Budrys.
Meanwhile, Italy suspended the Schengen Agreement with Spain for one month. This agreement allows visa-free movement across borders.
Asked whether Lithuania supports this step, K. Budrys assured that free movement is one of the most important aspects of the EU’s functioning, but changing circumstances may influence its restrictions.
“We want to preserve the Schengen area as one of the great advantages of the European Union, which is the free movement of people. However, if conditions do not allow ensuring security, then, of course, we have to consider at least various temporary forms,” he said.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez condemned the “selfish” reaction of some EU countries in a letter to EU leaders.
He blamed traffickers for the influx, who spread rumors about the Supreme Court decision made last month that illegal migrants arriving by sea cannot be immediately returned.
Ceuta officials previously linked migrant movements to the Supreme Court decision made this month, which prohibits officials from immediately returning migrants arriving by sea without a court process. This decision does not apply to migrants arriving in Spain by land, including climbing over the border fence.
The 18.5 sq km territory of Ceuta and the nearby Melilla enclave are the only two European land borders with Africa.
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