The House of the King has communicated this Saturday that Felipe VI has followed with "great concern and indignation" the episodes recorded in recent days in Ceuta and, to a lesser extent, in Melilla. Furthermore, he has emphasized that "the State must ensure their security and prevent these events, which have also resulted in a sad and tragic loss of dozens of lives, from happening again."
From the Palace of La Zarzuela, they point out that the head of State "believes it necessary to adopt all those measures that convey in a united, clear, and decisive manner" to the inhabitants of both cities "the support and affection of the rest of Spain."
The same sources detail that the King has been in contact since last Thursday with both the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the leader of the PP, Alberto Núñez Feijóo, who has traveled to Ceuta this Saturday.
Felipe VI is also in communication with the presidents of the two autonomous cities, Juan Jesús Vivas and Juan José Imbroda, whom he called on Thursday night and Friday morning, respectively, and to whom he has conveyed "words of encouragement and firmness."
Extraordinary meeting of the EU Interior Ministers
The King's statement coincides with the confirmation that the Interior Ministers of the European Union will meet next Tuesday by videoconference to analyze the evolution of the crisis, following the request made by Sánchez and the leaders of another 22 member states to urgently hold an extraordinary Council.
"As Presidency of the Council, Ireland will convene on Tuesday a meeting of the Council of Justice and Home Affairs, chaired by Jim O'Callaghan, to discuss the evolution of the situation in Ceuta," indicated the Irish Prime Minister, Micheál Martin.
Hours earlier, Sánchez had sent a letter to the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, in which he expressed his "serious concern" about the reaction of certain European governments, after countries like Italy, Sweden, or Denmark went so far as to request the temporary suspension of Spain from the Schengen area or proposed to re-establish border controls.
The head of the Executive has defined that stance as "asymmetrical," understanding that it is based on "prejudices, false news, ignorance, or political interests" and that it clashes with European law and the principles of solidarity within the Union.