Kathmandu— European Union interior ministers have agreed to provide emergency aid to Spain to bolster its border security after thousands of migrants rushed into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. The meeting was convened to address concerns about the integrity of the Schengen free movement area following the weekend's chaotic events, which saw around 60,000 people attempting to cross into Ceuta from Morocco.

EU Ministers Unanimous on Need for Enhanced Security

During a video conference, EU interior ministers expressed unanimous support for reinforcing border security and combating migrant smuggling networks. They emphasized the importance of improving communication during crises to counter misinformation and foreign interference. European Commissioner for Internal Affairs and Migration Magnus Brunner stated that the meeting was a “useful opportunity” to confirm Europe’s resilience in securing its external borders.

Ceuta Incident Sparks Political Critiques

The incident at Ceuta has drawn sharp criticism from center-right and right-wing leaders of EU member states, who have called for Spain's suspension from the Schengen agreement. However, Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska insisted that the Schengen area was not compromised during the crisis. He noted that around 60,000 people had returned to Morocco since the weekend, leaving only about 2,500 still in Ceuta.

(With inputs from DW)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.