Hungarian Prime Minister Péter Magyar has joined 21 other European leaders in signing a joint letter criticising Spain’s handling of a recent migration surge, warning that recent developments could undermine the protection of the European Union’s external borders.

The initiative follows reports that nearly 50,000 irregular migrants crossed into the Spanish enclave of Ceuta from Morocco over recent days, prompting calls for a coordinated European response.

According to Foreign Minister Anita Orbán, the 22 heads of state and government argue that the Spanish government’s response risks weakening the EU’s external border controls.

The letter reportedly calls for coordinated action at EU level to strengthen border protection and warns against creating the impression that entering the bloc illegally could eventually lead to legal residency.

The signatories also said they are prepared to consider temporarily reintroducing internal border controls within the Schengen Area if necessary.

In a Facebook post, Orbán said the recent events recalled the 2015 migration crisis, when Europe experienced large-scale irregular border crossings.

She also suggested that a ruling issued earlier this month by Spain’s Supreme Court may have contributed to the recent surge. According to the Hungarian government’s account, the court ruled that people arriving by sea could not be immediately returned, a decision the signatories believe may have encouraged further crossings.

Orbán said she had been in continuous contact with her European counterparts and that Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares confirmed that around 49,000 people had already returned to Morocco. Nevertheless, she argued that the scale of the incident justified the joint appeal by the 22 European leaders.

Subscribe to receive every edition of our Hungary Insider newsletter directly in your inbox!

The signatories are urging the Irish Presidency of the Council of the European Union to convene an emergency video conference of EU interior ministers to coordinate the bloc’s response. They are also calling for stronger support from Frontex, the EU’s border and coast guard agency, and a review of cooperation with Morocco on migration management.

Orbán said every EU member state, including Spain, shares responsibility for protecting the Union’s external borders. “The Hungarian government will continue to stand firmly against illegal migration and defend Hungary’s borders under all circumstances,” she wrote.

If you missed it: New survey shows what Hungarians think about migration from poorer countries and guest workers