HIBAPRESS – Follow-up
French President Emmanuel Macron described the wave of mass entry witnessed in the occupied city of Ceuta at the end of last June as a "multi-pronged attack."
Speaking at a joint press conference with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in Madrid, Macron said: "Regarding Ceuta. Firstly, I must say here that when we talk about what happened at the end of last July, we must remember the more than 140 people who died during those events. I say that because what distinguishes Europe, and what has shaped our identity, is a certain humanitarian spirit. Therefore, there were women, men, and children who died while trying to cross the border. Let's not forget that.” He added: “Secondly, I understand that your government, your country, and the Europe we belong to, were victims of an attack, rather. Spain was not the one that organized these crossings. Therefore, my reaction is very simple when this happens, and this applies to all European countries that have faced irregular migration movements that have reached their shores or territories. We must show solidarity. Spain was attacked, and possibly attacked multiple times. It is clear to us, through the analysis we have conducted, that there were media attacks. There were those who made people believe that something was possible, thus exploiting poverty to push tens of thousands of families and young people, sometimes very young ones, to risk everything to reach Ceuta." Therefore, Macron added, I believe this calls for a response from us, and our first response was solidarity, pointing to the need to cooperate with Morocco for the return of the migrants who entered during the wave.
