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Portuguese PM defends migration model amid EU border concerns
The leader of Portugal, Luis Montenegro, talked about how his country welcomes people who come to live there.
He said Portugal has a careful plan to receive newcomers and help them fit into society.
He wants migrants to have jobs, homes, doctors, schools and the chance to travel.
He said some other countries attract migrants without making sure they are taken care of.
He spoke after leaders across Europe held an emergency meeting about a big group of people entering Ceuta, a Spanish city in North Africa.
Spain said about 72,000 people arrived there in just one day, and most of them have now gone back to Morocco.
Portugal said it is watching the situation very carefully.
Portugal also promised to keep its borders strong and to stop illegal immigration.
The Portuguese government said it is working with Spain and Morocco to help solve the problem.
Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro defended Portugal's migration approach as a model of regulated reception and integration.
Montenegro contrasted Portugal's policy with what he called the 'lack of regulation of migration flows' in other countries.
He said Portugal works to ensure migrants have access to employment, housing, healthcare, education and mobility.
The remarks followed an emergency EU interior ministers video meeting on the migrant influx into Ceuta, where Spain reported about 72,000 irregular entries in 24 hours and about 70,000 returns to Morocco.
Portugal reaffirmed that the integrity of the Schengen system depends on rigorous border controls and a determined fight against illegal immigration.
- Who
- Portuguese Prime Minister Luis Montenegro, EU interior ministers, and the Spanish and Moroccan governments
- What
- Portugal defended its migration policy as a model of regulated reception and integration amid a migrant influx into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta
- Where
- Portugal, the Spanish North African enclave of Ceuta, and the European Union
- When
- Following an emergency EU ministers video meeting, with a Portuguese government statement issued on July 31
- Why
- In response to the migrant crisis in Ceuta and EU concerns over border control, migration flows and return mechanisms
Regulated Reception and Integration
Border Enforcement and Returns
Migration management model
Regulated Reception and Integration
Portugal's model of regulated reception and integration ensures migrants can live with dignity through access to employment, housing, healthcare, education and mobility.
Border Enforcement and Returns
Countries with pull-effect migration policies attract migrants without providing sufficient conditions for reception and integration, implying a lack of regulation of migration flows.
Response to the Ceuta influx
Regulated Reception and Integration
The crisis calls for attention to migrant reception and integration conditions alongside border control.
Border Enforcement and Returns
EU ministers agreed that border reinforcement and stronger migrant return mechanisms are necessary, and Spain assured Portugal it would reverse the migrant flow in coordination with Morocco.
Key facts
- Migrant entries into Ceuta
- About 72,000 people entered irregularly within 24 hours last week
- Returns to Morocco
- About 70,000 people returned
- EU meeting
- Emergency video meeting of EU interior ministers on the Ceuta influx
- EU agreement
- Border reinforcement and stronger migrant return mechanisms are necessary
- Portugal government statement
- Issued July 31, reaffirming rigorous border control and Schengen integrity
- Portuguese security forces
- GNR gendarmerie and Maritime Police coordinating with Spanish counterparts
Sources
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