"Spain is a country that firmly defends a legal, safe and orderly migration model, but also one that is open and humane, in contrast to those who seek to close borders and deny migrants the minimum level of dignity," Sanchez said. He stressed that "the data invite optimism" thanks to the policies pursued by the executive, whose key pillar is immigrant workers.

'Migration accounts for 80 percent of growth'

"This migration accounts for 80 percent of the growth recorded in Spain over the past six years, contributes 10 percent of Social Security revenues while representing only 1 percent of expenditure," Sanchez noted.

He added that there is no need to fear the so-called "pull factor," as irregular immigration "represents only 6 percent of the total."

"Those who propose a Spain closed in on itself are offering a Spain that will not be prosperous, that will be poor and that, without a doubt, will not have sufficient resources to sustain its welfare state," the Socialist leader said.

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'Madrid will always oppose the externalisation of migration policies'

Sanchez acknowledged that the main challenge future generations will face is the "demographic challenge," the demographic winter affecting Europe and Western societies, which must be addressed by "combining birth-rate policies with the family policies we are promoting from the Spanish government."

According to the Prime Minister, tackling the migration challenge means "cooperating with countries of transit and origin" of migratory flows. "This is what Spain is doing, and the data speak for themselves: our model works," he underlined.

Sanchez also reiterated that Madrid "will always oppose the externalisation of migration policies and, of course, the creation of 'hotspots' outside the European continent," which he described as "ineffective" in addressing the challenge of irregular migration.

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