Dubravka Šuica, the European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, outlined her views on the migrant crisis in the Spanish city of Ceuta and the current situation in Gaza and Palestine during an interview with Borne Šmera. She stressed that such challenges must be met with a responsible approach, rather than focusing solely on the satisfaction or dissatisfaction with the responses of individual member states.
Although Ms Šuica is responsible for Mediterranean affairs, she noted that her role in addressing the migrant crisis in Ceuta is primarily one of external relations. The main responsibility for managing migration flows lies with the Commissioner for Migration, while the European Union provides support and coordination in addressing this crisis. Ms Šuica highlighted that the Pact on Migration and Asylum is being tested by the events in Ceuta.
The situation in Ceuta, according to her, has stabilised, with the majority of migrants who had arrived from Morocco having already returned home. Nevertheless, Ms Šuica noted that there is close cooperation with Spain and Morocco, citing the fact that she had spoken with the foreign ministers of both countries in the past three days.
More details on the causes of the migrant crisis are expected to emerge from the meeting of foreign ministers, which is taking place on Tuesday. Ms Šuica recalled that some EU member states were not satisfied with Spain’s response to the crisis, but stressed the importance of a joint approach and the application of existing European instruments.
