"Spain and Portugal have tackled the crisis showing exemplary European solidarity, responsibility, reformism and moderation", says Mariano Rajoy

Baiona (Pontevedra)

The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, and the Portuguese Prime Minister, Pedro Passos Coelho, presided over the 28th Spain-Portugal Summit in Baiona (Pontevedra), the fourth time since they have headed up their respective governments.

During a joint press briefing, the President of the Government acknowledged that the last four years have been difficult but that, in his opinion, they have been worthwhile. "I am fully confident that we have managed to come out of these major difficulties with a great deal of hard work and our citizens are now looking at a much more positive period ahead".

The President of the Government recalled that Spain and Portugal recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of their respective Treaties of Accession to the then-European Communities. In his opinion, Europe has given them a great deal, but the two countries, always hand-in-hand, "have also contributed a great deal to the European project".

"Together we have tackled the worst economic crisis suffered by our respective countries, by Europe and by the integration project in decades. And we have done this by showing exemplary European solidarity, responsibility, reformism and moderation. And our citizens have offered an incomparable show of effort, solidarity and responsibility", underlined the President of the Government.

Mariano Rajoy added that, following several tough years, both countries must now focus on consolidating their economic recovery and in not throwing away everything they have achieved "through so much sacrifice and hard work", and in proposing inspiring future projects. "Now that we are finally back on the path of growth and job creation, now that the State's resources are starting to grow again, we will focus on strengthening and improving the pillars of the Welfare State which, by the way, is one of the hallmarks of the European project that we have managed to protect from the worst effects of the crisis", he said.

Future projects

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government travelled to Baiona (Pontevedra) accompanied by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, José Manuel García Margallo; for Defence, Pedro Morenés; for Home Affairs, Jorge Fernández Díaz; for Public Works, Ana Pastor; for Employment and Social Security, Fátima Báñez, and for Industry, Energy and Tourism, José Manuel Soria. Various agreements were signed at the Summit with their Portuguese counterparts together with a Final Declaration.

Mariano Rajoy and Pedro Passos Coelho both referred to the close coordination and similar positions maintained by their two countries on the main issues on the international political agenda.

In relation to Libya, Mariano Rajoy explained that they agree on the urgent need find a political exit strategy supporting the mediation efforts being undertaken by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General. "The parties must take this opportunity to form a national unity government that is key to the future of the country and to more effectively tackle DAESH which is trying to establish a foothold in Libyan territory".

The two leaders also tackled the migratory crisis in the Mediterranean. According to Mariano Rajoy, Spain and Portugal "are examples of integration, solidarity and cooperation with the countries of origin and transit of illegal immigration".

As regards Jihadi terrorism, the President of the Government considers that it represents the main threat facing the international community. "This is not a religious war. This is civilization against barbarism. And we all have our objective clear: the eradication of barbarism. We are determined to fight this and we will work together to achieve this, through the EU, and in parallel with our partners by studying every area: security, border control, intercultural dialogue, closing down sources of funding and avoiding the radicalisation of young people, without ever forgetting the victims and their families", he said.

Mariano Rajoy also highlighted that Spain and Portugal have signed a cooperation treaty on defence issues that updates the protocol signed in 1998. "This treaty allows us to jointly tackle this and other challenge, opening up channels of dialogue on defence policies and coordinating common positions in those international organisations of which we are members".

On another note, the President of the Spanish Government and the Portuguese Prime Minister agreed to promote the Portuguese ways on the Camino de Santiago [St James' Way], as well as to put out to tender the works necessary for the electrification of the Valença do Minho-Mine railway line.

Greece: solidarity and meeting commitments

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government underlined the importance of the extraordinary meeting that the European Council will hold on Monday to tackle the situation of Greece and stressed that he will attend the meeting with a "constructive spirit". In his opinion, the keys to reaching an agreement are solidarity, dialogue, following the rules and meeting commitments.

Mariano Rajoy recalled that the European loans to Greece equate to almost 100% of the Gross Domestic Product of this country and that the principal of these loans will start to be paid within 30 years while debt will be serviced within 10 years. "Europe has been supportive and wishes to remain supportive towards Greece, and we would all like to see an agreement as soon as possible", he remarked. Meanwhile, he added, "it is very important that the Greek Government is aware of the efforts being made by the citizens of the rest of the countries of the European Union", and that the integration process can only move forward if everyone respects agreements.

For the President of the Government, the delay in the negotiations is harming the people of Greece above all: the growth forecast for Greece has fallen from 3% to 0.5%, and tax revenues and job figures are also being affected. In his opinion, the challenge facing Greece is the same as Spain and Portugal have faced: growing and creating jobs. He also argued that reducing the deficit and undertaking structural reforms are the key elements that have made meeting these objectives possible. "Although there is still much to do and the effects and the after-effects of the crisis still exist, Spain will grow this year by more than 3% and 600,000 Spaniards will find a job."

Mariano Rajoy asserted that he does not fear "any possible knock-on effect" on the Spanish economy because, compared with the "dramatic" situation being faced in 2012, "we are now moving in the right direction and are on the path to recovery".

As regards the future of the European Union, the President of the Government advocated making progress on economic union - with particular attention on energy union, digital union and unified financial services - fiscal union and political union.

Cabinet reshuffle

As regards a potential cabinet reshuffle, the President of the Government pointed out that no "crisis" will take place in the government and neither will there be a change of policy with only a few months to go until elections are called and, "above all, when economic policy is starting to lead to positive results in our country".

As regards the upcoming elections in Catalonia, he reiterated that "they are solely and exclusively regional elections", and that the government will ensure the law is upheld and will not accept "that national sovereignty, the equality of Spanish citizens or fundamental rights and liberties are jeopardised".

At the start of his speech at the press briefing, Mariano Rajoy conveyed the affection and support of the government to the families of the three Spanish mountaineers that died in Kirgizstan following an avalanche.