​Mariano Rajoy says that EU immigration policy is the same as that applied by Spain "for some time"

Justus Lipsius Building, Brussels

He explained that "the immigration policy that the EU has now put in place" is that which Spain has been defending "for some time" and the same as that which "we have already implemented in our country". Mariano Rajoy added that this policy is one that "leads to results" and could "be useful in the future".

Action regarding Brexit

When asked how the British Prime Minister was received at the European Council, Mariano Rajoy said that everything happened "absolutely normally".

The President of the Government explained that the United Kingdom will present its request to leave the EU during the first quarter of 2017 and, "that is when the negotiations will begin". He also explained that the European Council did not discuss the departure of the United Kingdom because the British Prime Minister merely announced her government's position, which is precisely that which she conveyed to Mariano Rajoy when she visited Moncloa Palace a few weeks ago.