​"We have always worked and will always work together against terrorism and for freedom", says Mariano Rajoy

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government argued, in an institutional declaration, that unity "is necessary to tackle all those who threaten our system of rights and liberties, and cooperation and a spirit of consensus are essential for defending the way of life of an open society like Spain's".

Mariano Rajoy underlined that, as a result of this agreement, Spain is providing itself with "one of the best legal and operational tools to guarantee the liberty and security" of our citizens against the threat of Jihadi terrorism. Moreover, a clear message is being sent out to radicals: "Spanish society is united in terms of its freedom, democracy and values that go beyond mere ideological overtones".

The President of the Government recalled that the government and the opposition have always been united "against terrorism and in favour of liberty" and will always be so. Renewing this agreement, he added, "is key to being more effective in our shared goal: that no Spaniard sees his liberties threatened or his security compromised".

Mariano Rajoy argued that while terrorism transforms, our consensus is maintained. "Today a renewed determination is born to maintain the unreserved unity of democrats against terrorism which is willingly laid down in the commitments taken on by the PP, the Government of Spain and the PSOE and which we open up to the consensus of the rest of the parliamentary forces".

Legal reforms

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government specified that the agreement is shaped, firstly, in an amendment to the Criminal Code on matters of terrorism offences through a constitutional law that is open to support from the rest of the parliamentary forces.

This means that phenomena such as the 'lone wolf', the use of the Internet to share terrorist content, new methods of financing criminal activities and deployment to regions of armed conflict become criminal offences or are aggravated. The reform of the Criminal Code "will continue to guarantee the maximum custodial sentence for crimes of terrorism, leading to the loss of life", pointed out Mariano Rajoy.

Furthermore, those legislative reforms that are necessary will be promulgated and the human and material resources necessary will be guaranteed so that the fight against terrorism carried out by the justice system, the State law enforcement agencies and the armed forces on missions overseas can be carried out as effectively as possible.

International cooperation and dignity of victims

Other commitments contained in the text include the implementation of initiatives designed to eradicate all manifestations of violent radicalisation and intolerance and boosting international policies to combat terrorism, both within the framework of the EU and on the UN Security Council (of which Spain is a non-permanent member). "Because, whilst unity is necessary, international cooperation, particularly at a European level, is essential to defeat terrorism", stressed Mariano Rajoy.

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government highlighted the determination of the signatories to "keep the memory of victims of terrorism alive, honour their memory with dignity and foster the testimony of gratitude that we will always owe them".

According to the President of the Government, the consensus reached on Monday "shows that we are one of the most consolidated democracies in the world, a serious and responsible country that can be trusted". Mariano Rajoy thanked the PP and the PSOE for their responsible attitude, particularly that of the General Secretary of the Socialist Party and Leader of the Opposition, Pedro Sánchez.