EU offered Spain support ‘from first moment’ of Ceuta crisis, says von der Leyen, after Sánchez hits out – Europe live

As EU officials meet to discuss a joint response to irregular arrivals in Ceuta, it is worth remembering that the Spanish prime minister’s ire appears to be directed at Italy’s Giorgia Meloni, who has reacted by closing the Schengen border with Spain despite repeated statements that virtually all the arrivals have returned. On Friday evening, Pedro Sánchez underlined Spain’s efforts at stemming migration by publishing a league table, based on Frontex figures, of irregular arrivals in the EU. In a post on X, he wrote: Solidarity and empathy are optional. Respect for European treaties and data is not. Number of irregular entries between 2021 and 2026 according to Frontex: Via Italy: 478,600 Via the Western Balkans: 340,600 Via Greece: 259,800 Via Spain: 234,760 Via the eastern border: 48,000 This is not the time to divide.

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