„In the current international context, the European Union cannot afford such a selfish, polarizing, and illegal reaction,“ wrote P. Sanchez in a letter addressed to the bloc’s leaders, which the news agency AFP reviewed.
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It also calls for a meeting of the interior ministers of the 27 EU members to be convened.
France and Italy took action
France and Italy tightened border controls on Saturday as about 60,000 people moved into the Spanish enclave in North Africa. This triggered one of the largest migrant crises in recent years in the European Union (EU).
Migrants arrived in Ceuta from Morocco, the enclave’s regional president Juan Jesus Vivas told journalists, but by Friday evening officials reported that more than 48,000 of them had already returned.
To get to Ceuta, many sailed around a small border barrier jutting into the Mediterranean Sea. At least 34 people died trying to do so.
The sudden influx of migrants caused an international crisis.
France tightened checks at the border with Spain and announced it would increase police forces fivefold by Saturday – up to 334 officers and gendarmes.
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Italy announced it had suspended the Schengen agreement with Spain, allowing visa-free movement across borders.
Italian officials said the suspension would take effect on Saturday and last for one month.
Several European countries have proposed suspending Spain’s membership in the Schengen free movement zone, although Spain’s foreign minister stated that the zone’s integrity is guaranteed.
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