Spain and Morocco have agreed to expedite the return of migrants who entered the Spanish-occupied Ceuta irregularly, as both countries moved to strengthen cooperation in response to a recent surge in irregular crossings. In a statement issued Thursday, Spain’s Interior Ministry said the two governments had agreed to reinforce coordination and review measures to ensure “the delivery, as soon as possible, of all persons who have entered Ceuta illegally.” Local authorities called on Madrid to declare a national emergency and send the army to reinforce the border. The ministry attributed the recent surge in migration attempts to human trafficking networks, accusing them of exploiting a recent court ruling to encourage undocumented migration, particularly among young people. It also described cooperation between Spain and Morocco as “exemplary” across several areas, including migration management.