Portugal expresses great concern over Ceuta migration crisis, backs Schengen border integrity

Lisbon, July 31 (AHN) The Portuguese government said on Friday it is following the migration crisis in Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta "with great concern" and reaffirmed its commitment to rigorous border control as a cornerstone of the Schengen area's integrity.

In a statement published by Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro's office, the government expressed condolences for the lives lost in the crisis and said it has been kept informed by the Spanish government since the beginning of the crisis.

"The Portuguese government reaffirms that the integrity of the Schengen system depends on rigorous border controls and a determined fight against all forms of illegal immigration," the statement read, Xinhua News Agency reported.

The Portuguese authorities said it remains in contact with both the Spanish and Moroccan governments, with Portuguese security forces, including the GNR gendarmerie and the Maritime Police, coordinating with their Spanish counterparts.

It said Spain has given assurances that, in close coordination with Moroccan authorities, it will reverse the flow of thousands of migrants that has intensified over recent weeks and particularly over the past two days.

The death toll of those attempting to reach Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta by sea rose to at least 34 on Friday, while around 50,000 migrants have entered the enclave from neighbouring Morocco over the past two days.

Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez described the incident as a violation of Spain's territorial integrity.

Most of the victims drowned while attempting to swim around the El Tarajal border breakwater separating Morocco and Ceuta, according to the Spanish authorities.

Sanchez travelled to Ceuta on Friday together with Spanish Interior Minister Fernando Grande-Marlaska to inspect the situation. During the visit, he announced new measures to strengthen border security, including the installation of floating barriers near the El Tarajal breakwater to prevent further sea crossings.

The influx has also triggered diplomatic tensions between Spain and Italy. Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani called for the suspension of Schengen arrangements with Spain, while Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares rejected Tajani's remarks as "partisan demagoguery" and said he would summon the Italian ambassador in Madrid on Friday.

France, meanwhile, ordered the immediate reinforcement of checks along its border with Spain and activated a rapid-response border unit to conduct more extensive inspections.