A letter and 22 signatories. That is the document showing the isolation of Pedro Sánchez and the rejection of his migration policy in Europe. France, which is strengthening its border with Spain, and Portugal prevented total humiliation. Ireland, as the current EU presidency, also did not sign, although it was the intended recipient of the letter.
Twenty-two EU leaders of different ideologies, including Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, communicate to the Spanish president their lack of trustin the control he can exert over the southern border: "We have a duty to effectively deter and relentlessly combat irregular migration," emphasized the European leaders, questioning "policies that may act as attraction factors, such as the regularization of a very large number of irregular immigrants."
The letter from the 22 leaders, calling for an "urgent video conference" of EU Interior Ministers, was made public hours after the Government's president criticized "the selfish, polarizing, and illegal reaction" of some EU member states following the influx of 60,000 Moroccans who swam to the Spanish border in Ceuta.
The current EU president, Irish Prime Minister Micheál Martin, confirmed that the Interior Ministers' meeting will take place next Tuesday, amid deep division within the 27 and Pedro Sánchez's increasing isolation within the European context.
The letter, driven by Giorgia Meloni and her Danish counterpart, social democrat Mette Frederiksen, (and supported by countries like Germany, Poland, Finland, Sweden, Belgium, the Netherlands, Czech Republic, and Hungary, among others), calls for "a coordinated European response." The 22 signatories warn that they are not willing to allow "the instrumentalization of immigration or other hybrid threats that give the impression that it is possible to enter the EU illegally and that illegal entry can become legal." While it is a warning against Morocco, it is also directed at Sánchez, who only blamed "immigration mafias" for the border invasion.
Faced with numerous criticisms following the incidents in Ceuta, Sánchez himself acknowledged in his own letter that the reaction of European governments had been "asymmetric." "The majority has shown us support and solidarity and offered their help," wrote the Government's president. "However, some have decided to attack Spain and call for its exclusion from the Schengen area."
Sánchez pointed out that the number of irregular entries through Spanish borders "represents half of those recorded in recent years by Italy," the first country to announce the suspension of freedom of movement with Spain on Friday. Without directly mentioning Meloni, the Government's president strongly criticized "this attitude, driven by prejudices, fake news, ignorance, or political interests, contrary not only to European law but also to humanitarian law and solidarity principles."
In the 22 leaders' reply letter, they remind Sánchez how the "perception" that illegal entry can become legal "can encourage future attempts, undermine trust in our common migration policy, and have repercussions on all member states." The signatories emphasize the importance of the Chisinau Declaration on immigration, signed by the Council of Europe Foreign Ministers on May 15, which emphasizes "the need to manage irregular migration flows and ensure border security."
"Border control is paramount," stated social democrat Mette Frederiksen on X, calling for "immediate EU action to discuss further initiatives on the alarming situation in Ceuta." "All measures must be considered to ensure the safety of Europeans," added the Danish Prime Minister.
"We expect the Spanish Government to now take the necessary and concrete measures required to protect Europe's external border and prevent this from having consequences for other European countries," warned Swedish Prime Minister and Moderate Party leader Ulf Kristersson, another signatory.
"What is happening on the border between Spain and Morocco poses a risk to the security of the entire EU," added Romanian MEP Siegfried Muresan, Vice President of the European People's Party: "Anything illegal must be fought against and never encouraged. The Spanish Government, led by Pedro Sánchez, has the obligation to protect the Schengen area borders."
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen tried to smooth tensions among the 27, acknowledging the need for "an extraordinary video conference to assess what happened."
Von der Leyen noted on X that "the vast majority of those who arrived illegally have already returned to Morocco, thanks to the effective work of Spanish and Moroccan law enforcement." "Not a single person reached mainland Spain or the rest of the EU," emphasized the Commission President.
"We have a robust system in place, but it needs to be further strengthened," acknowledged Von der Leyen. "We must remain vigilant at every critical entry point and maintain close coordination among all authorities. At the same time, we need a lessons learned process to enhance European resilience."
Neither France nor Portugal, the two countries directly bordering Spain, are among the signatories of the strong letter from the 22. The French Interior Minister, Laurent Núñez, distanced himself, stating that there is "very, very, very good cooperation" between Paris and Madrid and warned that "there is absolutely no possibility" of Spain leaving the Schengen area.