The European Union should use every instrument at its disposal—including its visa and trade policies—to ensure Morocco’s cooperation on migration, EU Commissioner for Migration Magnus Brunner said on Wednesday.

Around 72,000 migrants entered the Spanish enclave of Ceuta last week in one of the largest movements of migrants into EU territory in recent years.

“A very important lesson from Ceuta is that if we want to remain in control, we must cooperate with our neighbours. But as long as that control depends on the goodwill of a neighbouring country, we remain vulnerable,” Brunner told a meeting of the European Parliament’s committee.

The EU has increasingly relied on agreements with North African countries to curb irregular migration, offering financial support and other incentives in exchange for stricter border controls and cooperation on migrant returns.

Critics argue that this strategy leaves the bloc vulnerable to pressure from transit countries, which can ease—or threaten to ease—migration controls in order to secure political or economic concessions.

Brunner said the EU must deepen cooperation with third countries on returns and readmission and use all available tools to ensure effective partnerships.

The mayor of the Spanish enclave of Ceuta, Juan Jesús Vivas, told lawmakers that around 100 people died during the mass border crossing and that between 3,000 and 5,000 migrants remained in Ceuta.

“I repeat today, after seeing what I have seen: Morocco is not a reliable country,” he said, adding that responsibility for Europe’s only land border with Africa should be overseen by Europe rather than Morocco.