Interior ministers from the European Union and the Schengen associated countries have agreed to reinforce the bloc’s external borders, speed up returns and build early-warning systems after the mass crossing into Ceuta, the Spanish enclave in north Africa. Their videoconference on August 4 was chaired by Ireland, which holds the presidency of the Council of the European Union. The Spanish delegation, the European Commission and the European External Action Service briefed the meeting on events at the border. According to the Council statement, ministers found common ground on fighting migrant smuggling networks, reinforcing returns, strengthening EU borders and building deeper partnerships with countries of origin and transit. Ministers said the meeting would feed into the next Justice and Home Affairs Council on October 1-2 and into a discussion by EU leaders at the European Council later that month.