Key facts
- Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez called for a more financially capable and integrated EU at the European Council summit.
- He advocated for trade diversification and dialogue with regions like China, opposing a tougher stance from some EU members.
- Sánchez criticized EU plans for migrant reception centers in third countries, deeming them ineffective.
- He expressed solidarity with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni after a public disagreement with Donald Trump.
Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez used the European Council summit in Brussels to advocate for a more ambitious and integrated European Union, capable of acting as a global player with greater financial capacity and strategic autonomy.
Speaking from Brussels, Sánchez emphasized the need for "a Europe open to the world," highlighting the importance of deeper integration, trade diversification, and dialogue with other regions, including China. He argued that the EU requires more significant financial firepower to become a geoeconomic power and stressed the benefits of a more integrated single market, citing recent trade agreements with Mercosur, Mexico, and India.
Sánchez's stance on engaging with China contrasts with that of some EU member states, notably France, which favor a more assertive approach due to concerns over overproduction impacting the European economy. The Spanish leader countered that Europe should "take a step forward in its integration" rather than retreat from its values.
On migration policy, Sánchez voiced his opposition to the EU's new Return Regulation, which allows for the establishment of return centers in third countries. He described such measures as a "smokescreen" and argued they send the wrong message, suggesting the issue is solely the problem of origin and transit countries.
Additionally, Sánchez expressed his "solidarity" with Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni following a public exchange with U.S. President Donald Trump, who claimed Meloni had "begged" him for a photo. Sánchez described Trump's remarks as an "attack" and an insult to Italy.