FEATURE | EU seeks to clamp down on people smuggling after Spain border crisis

Range of measures discussed

The ministers discussed a range of measures, including better intelligence-sharing, closer monitoring of social media to detect migration surges earlier, and stronger protection of the EU's external borders.

Some analysts have questioned whether Moroccan authorities turned a blind eye to the crossings, noting previous occasions when Rabat was accused of using migration as political leverage.

The last major surge occurred in May 2021, when Moroccan authorities appeared to relax border controls, a move widely interpreted as retaliation for Spain's hosting of a Western Sahara independence leader. The territory is disputed, with Morocco claiming sovereignty over it.

Brunner also said the EU was negotiating a strategic comprehensive partnership agreement with Morocco.

On Monday, Morocco rejected claims it was responsible for the surge, saying Spain should have foreseen the consequences of a court ruling that concluded that illegal migrants who arrived by swimming could not be immediately deported if no barrier was in place.