Grande-Marlaska reaffirms Spain's commitment to "safe, orderly and regular migration"

The acting minister detailed to Pope Spain's migration policy, based on collaboration with countries of origin and transit and the fight against human trafficking and people smuggling networks. "It is a cooperation based on respect, mutual and long-term trust, and day-to-day operational work," the minister said.

Grande-Marlaska shared with the director the efforts made in recent months to push forward with the negotiation of the EU Pact on Migration and Asylum, and conveyed his confidence in its forthcoming approval, which the ministry set as one of the priorities of the six-month Spanish presidency.

"Now is the time. There is not much time left, but the Parliament and the Council are closer and more committed than ever to the Pact and we cannot let this opportunity pass us by", said Grande-Marlaska, who recalled the key step that was the agreement on the crisis regulation, reached on 4 October, within the framework of the Spanish presidency of the Council of the EU.

Grande-Marlaska explained to Pope that the migration agreement has been reached "thanks to the flexibility" of the member states, and has specified that the final text will provide "a new, improved and updated legal framework", which will include elements of solidarity for the first time, and "will send out a message of unity".

In the area of international protection, the minister highlighted the increase in the number of applications received in Spain, which reached more than 137,900 by 31 October, a figure that has surpassed the record for the whole of 2022.

Non official translation