# Stronger EU borders, including physical barriers, needed after Ceuta crisis, von der Leyen says

https://mins.news/en/item/12465

- The Guardian, 2026-08-03 16:26 UTC
- Politics
- Original: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/aug/03/stronger-eu-borders-physical-barriers-ceuta-von-der-leyen

> European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen has urged stronger European borders following the Ceuta incident. In a letter to Spain’s prime minister, Pedro Sánchez, she said critical points needed closer monitoring and physical barriers where necessary. Tens of thousands of people reached the Spanish territory of Ceuta and then quickly left, prompting an angry dispute between Madrid and other European countries. Von der Leyen also called for measures in five areas of migration control, including returning more people.

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