Coincidentally, today's extraordinary meeting of EU interior ministers "stressed the need to improve shared situational awareness, which could be achieved by further developing early-warning systems such as pre-frontier intelligence and social media monitoring".

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 17h ago

Moroccan youth are debating on Facebook and WhatsApp whether to attempt a new border crossing into Ceuta on 15 August, @elpais.com reports after examining group chats. "See you there on the 15th. Be there on time."

Moroccan youth are debating on Facebook and WhatsApp whether to attempt a new border crossing into Ceuta on 15 August, @elpais.com reports after examining group chats. "See you there on the 15th. Be there on time."

“Nos vemos allí el 15 de agosto”. Así debaten miles de marroquíes en Facebook y WhatsApp si habrá una nueva entrada masiva a Ceuta

En las redes más usadas por la juventud marroquí se cruzan consejos, burlas y peticiones sobre un posible asalto a la frontera en los próximos días

elpais.com

Latest about Ceuta: - Irregular arrivals updated to 72,000 people, of whom 70,000 have already returned to Morocco - At least 141 people have died: 78 bodies recovered from Spanish waters and 63 from Moroccan waters - Largest migration crisis in Spain's modern history

How the EU's maritime services ban ended in limbo ➡️ https://l.euronews.com/dp5B

De Wever: “It is clear that Europe must close the borders. Images like this are disastrous for the population.”

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · yesterday

🇧🇪 Bart De Wever wants to “dig to the bottom” of the Ceuta crisis and says a meeting of EU leaders might be necessary. “It seems as though there is an open door and that anyone wanting to put pressure on us can use migration as a geopolitical weapon. That is particularly frustrating.”

🇧🇪 Bart De Wever wants to “dig to the bottom” of the Ceuta crisis and says a meeting of EU leaders might be necessary. “It seems as though there is an open door and that anyone wanting to put pressure on us can use migration as a geopolitical weapon. That is particularly frustrating.”

In early February, Ursula von der Leyen unveiled an ambitious plan: a maritime services ban for Russian oil tankers. It was a chance to redeem herself and complete the unfinished business of 2022. But the project soon went awry and now lies in limbo, forgotten. Here’s what happened.

How the EU's maritime services ban ended in limbo

Earlier this year, European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen proposed a full ban on maritime services for Russian oil tankers. But an extraordinary combination of factors has plunged the sanc...

euronews.com

The tone continues shifting: during today’s meeting of ambassadors, Spain received broad support from other EU countries, which highlighted how swiftly the Ceuta crisis was brought under control. Ambassadors stressed the need to properly apply EU migration rules and have reliable data.

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 2d ago

This is an important letter from von der Leyen to counter the political narrative of recriminations and finger-pointing against Spain. She frames irregular migration as a challenge that “requires a common European response, united action and solidarity”. The 27 must stand together.

This is an important letter from von der Leyen to counter the political narrative of recriminations and finger-pointing against Spain. She frames irregular migration as a challenge that “requires a common European response, united action and solidarity”. The 27 must stand together.

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 2d ago

Ursula von der Leyen replies to Pedro Sánchez’s letter and praises Spain for “efficiently and effectively” handling the Ceuta border crisis. “Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. And in this, solidarity is fundamental.” 🧵

Ursula von der Leyen replies to Pedro Sánchez’s letter and praises Spain for “efficiently and effectively” handling the Ceuta border crisis. “Migration is a European challenge that requires a European response. And in this, solidarity is fundamental.” 🧵

Europeans have spent the last year and a half pleading with Trump to impose sanctions on Russia. But if the Senate bill is approved, they might soon regret their wish. The bill, with its sweeping tariff powers, vague wording and weak oversight, risks backfiring. My Sunday read.

US Senate bill on Russia sanctions risks backfiring against Europe

A sanctions bill making its way through the US Senate risks handing Donald Trump a powerful tool to slap tariffs on allies and adversaries alike. #EuropeNews

euronews.com

French Interior Minister Laurent Nuñez: "Spain does not have to leave the Schengen Area. That is absolutely out of the question." He says reinforcements at the Spanish-French border will last "for as long as necessary" and calls for the quick implementation of the Migration Pact.

Von der Leyen gives update on Ceuta crisis: - She confirms "not a single person reached mainland Spain or the rest of the EU" - She says "lessons learned" are needed to strengthen the common border system - She urges "solidarity and a united European response" to stop irregular migration

Ursula von der Leyen@vonderleyen.ec.europa.eu · 4d ago

I held a conference call with Commissioners @magnusbrunner.bsky.social and Dubravka Šuica for an update on the situation in Ceuta. The good news is that the vast majority of those who arrived illegally have returned to Morocco, due to the effective work of Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement.

Interesting to see who did not sign it: - France: Macron shares some of Sánchez's views on migration, including opposition to outsourcing - Portugal: Spain's close neighbour - Ireland: neutral under EU presidency - Luxembourg: where Schengen is (?)

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 4d ago

Letter signed by the leaders of 🇮🇹🇩🇰🇦🇹🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇾🇭🇷🇨🇿🇪🇪🇫🇮🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇱🇻🇱🇹🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇱🇷🇴🇸🇮🇸🇰🇸🇪 Some of them asked for the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. The letter reaffirms their willingess to reintroduce border checks, but also talks about solidarity and unity.

Letter signed by the leaders of 🇮🇹🇩🇰🇦🇹🇧🇪🇧🇬🇨🇾🇭🇷🇨🇿🇪🇪🇫🇮🇩🇪🇬🇷🇭🇺🇱🇻🇱🇹🇲🇹🇳🇱🇵🇱🇷🇴🇸🇮🇸🇰🇸🇪 Some of them asked for the suspension of the Schengen agreement with Spain. The letter reaffirms their willingess to reintroduce border checks, but also talks about solidarity and unity.

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 4d ago

Just in: 22 EU leaders send a joint letter in response to the migratory crisis in Ceuta. "We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalisation of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible."

Just in: 22 EU leaders send a joint letter in response to the migratory crisis in Ceuta. "We cannot allow uncontrolled mass crossings, the instrumentalisation of migration or other hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible."

Pedro Sánchez has sent a letter to the EU institutions complaining about the political reaction of some member states to the migratory crisis in Ceuta. “In the current international context, the European Union cannot afford this kind of selfish, polarising and unlawful reaction.” 🧵

Update: Spain's security forces estimate that about 69,500 people have left Ceuta and returned to Morocco in the last 30 hours. No new arrivals were detected overnight. The death toll has risen to 60.

Spanish Foreign Minister: “The integrity of the Schengen Area is absolutely guaranteed.“

Italy has clarified that the border checks at airports will not affect EU citizens nor disrupt the travel season. They will be carried out randomly. As is often the case, the reintroduction of checks is but a headline-grabbing political signal.

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 5d ago

Italy confirms it has reintroduced border checks with Spain. The measure will affect flights and maritime transport, as Spain and Italy don’t have a land border. Reminder: Ceuta is subject to special rules under Schengen. None of the new arrivals has reached mainland Spain.

In response to the Ceuta crisis, the Irish presidency has decided to convene: - A meeting of the Integrated Political Crisis Response (ICPR) mechanism on Saturday - A meeting of EU ambassadors (Coreper) on Monday To assess developments and coordinate.

Robert Fico: “I do not believe that excluding Spain from the Schengen Area would be the right solution. Just as we were prepared to assist France in combating wildfires, Slovakia should also adhere to its proven strategy of protecting the Schengen external borders at all costs.”

Italy confirms it has reintroduced border checks with Spain. The measure will affect flights and maritime transport, as Spain and Italy don’t have a land border. Reminder: Ceuta is subject to special rules under Schengen. None of the new arrivals has reached mainland Spain.

Update: over 48,300 people have returned from Ceuta to Morocco. About 1,700 people are still in Ceuta.

Jorge Liboreiro@jorgeliboreiro.bsky.social · 5d ago

Update: over 37,500 people have already returned from Ceuta to Morocco, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry. This represents 75% of all arrivals. Death toll rises to 57.

The New York Times has spoken with several Moroccan nationals who say they were encouraged to cross into Ceuta by the Moroccan authorities.

Pedro Sánchez hits back at those calling for Spain's expulsion from the Schengen Area: "Solidarity and empathy are optional. The respect for EU treaties is not."

Update: over 37,500 people have already returned from Ceuta to Morocco, according to the Spanish Interior Ministry. This represents 75% of all arrivals. Death toll rises to 57.

António Costa is one of the few European voices to express solidarity with Spain and also underline that migrants who arrive in Ceuta don't enjoy free movement in the Schengen Area. An important point that many have missed.

António Costa@eucopresident.consilium.europa.eu · 5d ago

I express my solidarity with Spain in the current situation of illegal migration in Ceuta.

Ceuta crisis shatters European solidarity: As Spain denounces an attack on its sovereignty and a violation of its territorial integrity, other member states pile in to berate Spain, point fingers, issue bitter recriminations and ask for its expulsion from the Schengen Area.

The European Commission declines to say whether the migratory crisis in Ceuta qualifies as a case of state-sponsored instrumentalisation. The official line, right now, is to praise Morocco. "Moroccan authorities have been fully mobilised and cooperating very constructively."