European Union interior ministers agreed on Tuesday to step up efforts to combat migrant smuggling networks, strengthen deportations and improve information sharing following a video conference on the recent migrant surge in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
The meeting was convened after tens of thousands of migrants reached the North African territory from Morocco last week, triggering a rift between Spain and several other EU member states.
“There was a common understanding of the need to continue relentlessly fighting migrant smuggling networks, to reinforce returns, to strengthen EU borders, to build deep partnerships with third countries, and to improve foresight,” a news release said.
The ministers also agreed on the “need to improve shared situational awareness,” including better social media monitoring.
Ministers also “pointed out that communication during moments of crisis could further be reinforced through timely coordination and should be more coherent, especially to counter malicious external actors engaged in foreign information manipulation and interference,” the statement said.
Last week, up to 60,000 people reached the tiny territory from Morocco, many by swimming. At least 72 migrants died trying to make the crossing.
The majority have however now returned to Morocco. Madrid puts the number of remaining migrants at around 2,500, saying that the repatriation operations are not yet complete.