Belgium will not request the suspension of Spain from the Schengen Area, according to a Belgian government source. Instead, Belgium plans to voice criticism of Spain's migration policy during an upcoming meeting of EU interior ministers.
The source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Belgium's position is to address migration challenges through dialogue and cooperation, not punitive measures. The criticism is expected to focus on Spain's handling of irregular migration and its cooperation with other EU states.
The Schengen Area allows for passport-free travel among member states, and suspension is a rare and drastic measure. Belgium's stance aligns with the European Commission's preference for finding common solutions to migration issues.
Spain has faced increased migration pressure in recent years, particularly on the Canary Islands route. The EU has been working on a new migration pact to share responsibility among member states.
