Finland for stern measures against migrant influx into Spain's Ceuta

Foreign Minister Elina Valtonen on Friday demanded immediate return of the migrants, who entered Ceuta in Spain from neighbouring Morocco over the past two days.

Terming the situation unacceptable, she together with Foreign Ministers of other European countries communicated with their Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares and got updated information about the situation.

“Unacceptable developments in Ceuta. No one may come to the EU without abiding by our rules. Returns must be swift. Have been in contact with my EU colleagues. José Manuel Albares has kept us informed. With the help from the EU, we are counting on Spain to protect our external border,” Valtonen wrote in a post on her social media platform X.

Finance Minister Riikka Purra, said measures were needed at the EU level to help Spain bring the situation under control in accordance with EU migration rules, reported Xinhua, referring to a post on her X.

She stressed that Finland must safeguard its security, adding that internal border controls could be swiftly reinstated if necessary.

Meanwhile, Spain has stepped up its response to a deepening migrant crisis in its North African enclave of Ceuta, deploying armed forces to support the Civil Guard, said Xinhua in another report.

At least 57 migrants died while attempting to reach the Spanish territory by sea by Friday.

The Beni Enzar border crossing, the only operational crossing between Spain and Morocco in the neighbouring Spanish enclave of Melilla, was closed after hundreds of migrants attempted a mass crossing.

Meanwhile, Spanish authorities estimate that around 50,000 migrants entered Ceuta from neighbouring Morocco over the past two days.