EU calls emergency meeting to discuss Ceuta migrant crossings

The European Union will hold emergency talks on Tuesday to discuss the migration crisis in Ceuta after tense exchanges between Spain and other member states.

Twenty-two member states issued a joint letter calling for co-ordinated action and the strengthening of the EU's external borders, after some 60,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave from Morocco.

Spain condemned "selfish, polarising and unlawful" reaction to the crisis after Italy suspended the EU's border-free Schengen arrangement with Spain - a move backed by Finland and Denmark.

Officials say almost all those who reached Ceuta on 30 July have returned, while deaths from the surge in crossings had risen to at least 67.

The EU members' letter addresses concerns around "hybrid threats to create the perception that illegal entry into the European Union is possible," adding that the perception "would encourage further attempts, undermine confidence in our common migration policy and have repercussions for all Member States".

Leaders of the Netherlands, Finland and Belgium are among 22 signatures on the letter, addressed to EU President Antonio Costa, president of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Taoiseach Michael Martin, as Ireland currently holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union.

In a separate letter to von der Leyen, Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez said he had "serious concerns" about some European governments.

He said the Spanish government had fully restored control over the border and prevented any "unauthorised onward movement towards continental Europe" in less than 48 hours.

While most had shown "support and solidarity", Sánchez said other European governments had chosen to attack Spain, "driven by prejudice, fake news, ignorance, or political interest", and pointed out that Ceuta was not part of the Schengen area.