Glenn Bedingfield Reaffirms Support For Spain Amidst Recent Migratory Developments

Minister for Home Affairs and Security Glenn Bedingfield participated in an extraordinary online Home Affairs Council on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, focused on the recent migratory developments in Ceuta, Spain’s autonomous city located on the North African coast.

During the meeting, Minister Bedingfield expressed Malta’s full solidarity with Spain and welcomed the swift response by the Spanish authorities, working closely with Morocco, to restore order and regain control of the situation.

The Minister commended Spain’s rapid implementation of voluntary returns for the vast majority of people who had entered Ceuta irregularly, as well as the immediate steps taken to strengthen border management and security measures.

Addressing EU counterparts, Minister Bedingfield said the events in Ceuta highlighted how quickly migratory pressures can emerge and change, reinforcing the need for continued vigilance, preparedness and flexibility in responding to such challenges.

He stressed that the immediate priority must remain ensuring that Spain maintains full control over its external border, with the support of European Union agencies and available instruments where required.

Minister Bedingfield noted that the EU already has the legal framework, operational tools and specialised agencies needed to address migration pressures. Instead of introducing new mechanisms, he argued that efforts should focus on ensuring that existing instruments are used more rapidly and effectively to support Member States facing pressure at the Union’s external borders.

He called for a comprehensive migration policy that combines firm action against irregular migration with stronger efforts to address the factors driving people to leave their countries of origin.

According to the Minister, this approach requires enhanced protection of external borders, intensified efforts against migrant smuggling networks and criminal organisations, more effective return procedures, and closer cooperation with countries of origin and transit.

He highlighted the importance of these partnerships in preventing irregular departures, managing migratory movements and facilitating the return of people who do not have the right to remain within the EU.

Reaffirming that irregular migration represents a shared European challenge, Minister Bedingfield called for a coordinated response based on solidarity, practical cooperation and fair responsibility sharing between Member States.

He also stressed the importance of continuing to develop new approaches, including return hubs, while improving the effectiveness of the EU’s return system.

The Minister reiterated that Member States must retain the authority to decide who may enter and remain in their territories, in line with European and national legislation.

“Now is the time to stand united as a Union. Together, we must support Member States under pressure, safeguard the integrity of the EU’s external borders, and demonstrate that we can respond effectively to migratory challenges while addressing their root causes,” Minister Bedingfield concluded.

#MaltaDaily