At the conclusion of the informal EU Council meeting, interior ministers emphasised the importance of developing partnerships that create the right opportunities for people in their countries of origin. However, there was no mention of eliminating pull factors. Piantedosi: “Enough with the taboos.” But the issue of EU funding for extraterritorial hubs remains unresolved

After some initial caution, Spain has called on the Moroccan government to investigate the influx of migrants. The semi-official response contains accusations against criminal organisations and the ‘occupied’ Ceuta

 “Fewer deportations than under Conte and Renzi. At last, even the left, hailing the deportations to Ceuta, endorses the concept of remigration,” says the general. “Regularisation is a disaster; Europe and Italy must change course. Are we to side with this right-wing government? If anything, they will have to agree with us.”

According to José Manuel Albares, “the Italian government has not risen to the challenge on migrants”. The Ministry of the Interior’s response: “From January this year to the present day, there has been a sharp fall in the number of irregular migrant arrivals, achieved precisely thanks to the government’s policies. And there has been no ‘invasion’ in Lampedusa”

The crisis has reignited the tensions caused by the demographic issue. The need for sound policy and a cultural and psychological battle. Consideration should be given to a European agency for migrants

The initiative was launched jointly with Denmark and endorsed by 22 countries: “We are deeply concerned about recent developments at the EU’s external border in Ceuta. We are determined to prevent human traffickers from undermining the integrity of the external borders.”

Ceuta is the perfect symbol of the politics of fear. Trump uses it against the Democrats, whilst MAGA supporters use it against Europe. But it is Morocco that lies at the heart of the American geopolitical game