The Chief Minister of Gibraltar, Fabian Picardo, has expressed his conviction that the Spanish Executive has managed "extraordinarily well" the migratory crisis recorded this week in Ceuta, triggered by a massive influx of people from Morocco through the Tarajal pier, an episode that has resulted in 67 fatalities.
"I believe that the Spanish Government has responded to this situation extraordinarily well," Picardo has stated, who has also conveyed his "solidarity" to the Ceuta population. In an interview granted to the broadcaster Times Radio, he highlighted that "the first thing (Spain) did was seek collaboration with the Moroccan authorities, while the Spanish security agencies made it clear to those arriving that they were not welcome."
The Gibraltarian leader has criticized the "exaggerated reaction" of certain sectors, especially from the "far right," which, he has denounced, has considered that "it could dance on the grave" of a left-wing government taking advantage of the tragedy.
The Chief Minister has also emphasized that at no time was there a risk of the situation extending to Gibraltar. "When people were entering Ceuta, they were as far from Gibraltar as from the European Union as when they were in Tangier," he pointed out, before stressing that the news focus should center on the fact that 67 people have lost their lives in this event.
In this sense, he has remarked that "there is no danger. Gibraltar is not going to suspend our new agreements with the European Union," dismissing that the Ceuta crisis will have an impact on the relations between the Rock and Brussels.