Von der Leyen described Morocco as “an important strategic partner” in combating migrant smuggling and irregular migration. The incident prompted Italy to temporarily suspend passport-free Schengen travel arrangements for arrivals from Spain for one month, although the Schengen rules do not apply to Ceuta. Twenty-two of the EU’s 27 member states also called for coordinated action to strengthen the bloc’s external borders. The Ceuta crossings are the first major test of the EU’s Migration Pact, which took effect in June after years of negotiations to create common migration rules and greater solidarity among member states. Analysts told Reuters the Ceuta incident highlights the importance of cooperation with transit countries such as Morocco.