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Spain, ready to “anticipate” some measures of the European Migration Pact

by AI | 18.Feb 2025 | Europe in brief AI

The Pact is an “absolute priority” for Spain and its implementation is progressing “at a good pace and in accordance with the planned deadlines”, with a view to its entry into force in June 2026, the Spanish Interior Minister assured.

A small boat arrives at the Muelle de la Restinga with 156 people on board, including children and women. Photo: Europa Press 15/12/2023

Madrid – The Spanish Government’s Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, and his counterpart of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz, held meetings on Monday with the European Commissioner for Home Affairs and Migration, Magnus Brunner, to whom they conveyed Spain’s willingness to “anticipate” some measures foreseen by the European Pact on Migration and Asylum, approved in May 2024.

Specifically, according to Interior, Minister Marlaska pointed out to Brunner that the Pact constitutes an “absolute priority” for Spain and assured him that its implementation is progressing “at a good pace and according to the scheduled deadlines”, with a view to its entry into force in June 2026.

In the meeting held at the headquarters of the Grande-Marlaska Department in Madrid, the minister thanked the new European commissioner for the “close, rigorous, and effective” dialogue of his team and informed him that the National Strategy on Migration and Asylum will be ready in June. Furthermore, he expressed Spain’s willingness to “anticipate” some measures of the pact, “but always respecting the balance between responsibility and solidarity” that guided the drafting of the agreement “and integrating elements of the external dimension”.

Regarding Frontex, Grande-Marlaska urged Brunner to promote the modification of the agency’s regulation to facilitate its action outside the European Union. “We consider it a priority for Frontex to be able to participate in operations in third countries,” said the minister, citing the Hera mission, “crucial to address the migration crisis from West Africa in 2006 and 2007”.

Meanwhile, Elma Saiz conveyed “the commitment and dedication of the Spanish Government to the integration of migrants, through the promotion of regular and safe migration and its positive impact on the economy”, reported the ministerial department.

“We are aware that some measures of the Pact can be anticipated and we are working to do so. It is important that the anticipated measures cover both responsibility and solidarity, two key issues for the joint and coordinated management of migration on our continent. Not forgetting that this was the guiding principle maintained in the Pact negotiations,” stated the minister.

In this regard, Saiz highlighted the Integration and Intercultural Coexistence Plan that the Government is working on, currently open to contributions from autonomous communities, local entities, the Third Sector, and social agents. “The aim is integration and social cohesion, and it will act in a series of key areas such as economic promotion and employment, education, health, social services, civic participation, gender, and the LGTBIQ+ community, among others,” highlighted the Ministry.

“Spain is committed to regular and safe migration, but without overlooking the exquisite compliance with human rights. This Plan constitutes a top-level political initiative demonstrating the success of the Spanish Government’s migration policy,” said the minister.