EU chief Ursula von der Leyen called Monday for "united action" on border security after a migrant rush on Spain's North African enclave of Ceuta triggered a public spat between Madrid and several European partners.
"From this incident, it is clear that we must do more to further strengthen our borders at critical points," von der Leyen wrote in a letter to Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez seen by AFP.
"The protection of all our external borders is a shared European responsibility," she warned, calling for "vigilant monitoring and the use of physical barriers where needed."
Von der Leyen commended Sánchez on the "swift handling" of the crisis that saw tens of thousands of people stream into Ceuta from Morocco -- almost all of whom have since left.
READ ALSO: Italy suspends Schengen agreement with Spain
