Deadly Ceuta crisis prompts EU push for stronger external borders

More must be done to strengthen the European Union's ​borders at critical points, European ‌Commission President Ursula von der Leyen told Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez ​in a letter seen by ​Reuters.

In the letter, dated August ⁠3rd, she also reiterated the ​EU's support to help Spain tackle ​illegal immigration while noting that more needed to be done.

The letter came after ​last week's huge rush of ​migrants who surged over the Moroccan border to ‌enter ⁠the Spanish enclave of Ceuta in north Africa. At least 67 people died as a result.

"In co-operation ​with Spain, ​especially ⁠on anything related to Ceuta and Melilla, we ​could enhance border management early-warning ​systems ⁠and improve our technical and financial support to Morocco," von ⁠der ​Leyen said in the ​letter.

By Vafa Guliyeva