The Spanish Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, has urged the European Union to extend the ban on narcolanchas, a measure that Spain implemented in 2018. During his speech at the MED9 Summit in Rovinj, Croatia, the minister highlighted the need to address a problem that transcends the capabilities of a single country.
“A ban across the EU would help deactivate the use of fast boats and should include measures against the illegal supply of fuel at sea,” he stated.
The MED9, an alliance formed by nine southern European countries, has focused on managing migratory flows and maritime security, with a special emphasis on the fight against drug trafficking. Grande-Marlaska also expressed his gratitude for the condolences received following the death of two civil guards in Huelva, who lost their lives pursuing a narcolancha. In this context, he emphasized the need to establish global strategies to tackle drug trafficking, which has evolved and integrated into global logistics chains.
The summit concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration reaffirming the commitment of the participating countries to the effective management of external borders and the implementation of the Migration and Asylum Pact, which will come into force on June 12. Additionally, the signatories committed to strengthening port protection and improving intelligence sharing, as well as requesting adequate funding from the European Union to address the challenges in the Mediterranean region.