Minister Rantanen on Ceuta border crisis: Spain has the support of EU countries

On Tuesday, Finland's Interior Minister Mari Rantanen held a press briefing in Helsinki following an EU interior ministers' meeting regarding the migrant crisis in Ceuta, Spain. Rantanen stated that Spain received unreserved support from all EU member states. Last week, approximately 60,000 migrants entered Ceuta, a Spanish enclave in North Africa, from Morocco over a short period.

At least 57 people died during the influx, while around 49,000 migrants returned to Morocco voluntarily. During the remotely held EU meeting, Rantanen noted that interior ministers did not discuss plans to introduce internal border controls in Spain, as the situation had calmed down and the EU Commission did not request such a plan.

Rantanen emphasized the need for Europe to maintain intelligence and preparedness, acknowledging that the events in Ceuta prompted her to criticize Spain's border security on social media. She later clarified that her comments reflected her personal opinions, not the government's policy. Rantanen also mentioned that the Schengen agreement could be examined if conditions warranted, and that Spain could not be excluded from the Schengen zone solely based on a member state's demand.