EU Commission chief calls for stronger external borders after Ceuta visit

In the European Union on 3 August 2026, EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called for stronger external borders after the migration unrest in Ceuta, the Spanish exclave. Le Monde and France 24 quoted her calling for a “common European response” to “strengthen the borders,” and El País wrote that she congratulated Spain and Morocco on their handling of the crisis while asking for stronger borders.

Von der Leyen told Spain that the EU can give Morocco more border support after a spat over Ceuta, according to Reuters. Anadolu Agency reported that she urged member states to stay united and praised Spain's handling of the unrest. Euronews reported that EU ministers are considering internal border checks, and Handelsblatt wrote that EU countries are arguing over what follows from the Ceuta crisis.