Rasi: Events in Ceuta Call for Joint European Response

Bratislava, 31 July (TASR) - Current events in Ceuta show that this is an issue which transcends the borders of a single state and requires a joint European response, Parliamentary Chair Richard Rasi (Voice-SD) stated on Friday in response to the current situation in the Spanish autonomous region of Ceuta, declaring that Slovakia is prepared to support effective joint European solutions to protect the European Union's (EU) external border. "I'm following the current developments in the migration crisis in Spain with great concern. I wish to express my solidarity with the Spanish people, the security forces there and the state representatives who are facing an exceptionally challenging situation at the European Union's external border," Rasi wrote on social media. In his view, the protection of the EU's external borders must be a shared responsibility of all member states. "If one country is under pressure, the whole European Union is under pressure," he noted, adding that Slovakia stands with Spain and is prepared to support solutions to protect the Union's borders, combat people-smuggling networks more effectively, improve cooperation with countries of origin and transit, and ensure that the rules protecting the Schengen area are strictly enforced. Around 60,000 people have entered the Spanish town of Ceuta from Morocco in recent days, mayor of this autonomous town Jesus Vivas stated on Friday, adding that the situation is unsustainable. More than 48,000 have already returned to Morocco. At least 57 people have died while attempting to reach the Spanish enclave. am