Pellegrini Supports Special Meeting of EU Ministers over Situation in Ceuta

Bratislava/Brussels, 1 August (TASR) - President Peter Pellegrini expressed his support for an initiative by a majority of EU countries, which had previously called for a special meeting of member countries' interior ministers regarding the crisis in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta. "I support the initiative of EU member states calling for a special meeting of EU interior ministers to address the situation in the Spanish city of Ceuta. Effective protection of the EU's external borders is a fundamental prerequisite for ensuring the security of our citizens and maintaining trust in the Schengen zone, as well as in the European project as a whole," Pellegrini has posted on social media. According to the president, Europe must send a clear and unambiguous signal that illegal border crossings and the misuse of migration as a tool of political or hybrid pressure cannot be the way to obtain the right to reside in the Union. He added that it is essential for the EU to act with one voice, fully respect international law, protect human dignity, and apply its rules in a consistent and fair manner. "Only through a coordinated European response can we effectively address challenges that transcend the borders of individual member states," wrote the president. "The security of our citizens is not a luxury. It is a fundamental right. As public officials, we have a responsibility to ensure that people feel safe and have confidence in the ability of their national governments and the European Union to protect their interests. This requires acting decisively, responsibly and without unnecessary delay," he said. According to Pellegrini, Slovakia is ready to support measures that will strengthen the protection of the EU's external borders, deepen cooperation between member states, help combat migrant smuggling networks, and prevent the misuse of migration as a tool of pressure against the Union. Most EU member states called on Saturday for a special meeting over the sudden influx of tens of thousands of migrants into the Spanish exclave of Ceuta in North Africa. In an open letter, the leaders of 22 of the 27 EU member states demand that the EU interior ministers hold an urgent video conference in order to agree on a rapid, coordinated response and "prevent further uncontrolled border crossings". ko