Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has called on EU member states to respect European treaties, following criticism and countermeasures by several EU countries over the surge in migrant arrivals in the Spanish exclave of Ceuta.
“Solidarity and compassion are voluntary. Respect for European treaties and the data is not,” Sánchez wrote on the platform X on Friday evening. He said it was time to continue building a strong and united Europe – not to divide it.
Sánchez cited data from EU border agency Frontex showing that Spain is not the main entry point for irregular migration into the EU and has recorded significantly lower numbers since 2021 than routes such as the central Mediterranean route via Italy, the Western Balkans route and the route via Greece.
According to the data, 478,600 irregular migrants entered the EU via Italy over the past five years, compared with 234,760 via Spain.
The right-wing government in Rome said it has temporarily suspended the Schengen agreement on free movement with Spain.
Finnish Interior Minister Mari Rantanen wrote on X that Spain had failed to protect the Schengen area’s external border.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz called on the Spanish government to bring the situation under control as quickly as possible. “Protecting the European Union’s external borders is crucial to combating illegal migration,” the conservative politician said.
France also tightened checks at its border with Spain.