Spain and Algeria highlight effective collaboration in fight against terrorism and illegal immigration

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

During the press conference given by the two leaders at Moncloa Palace, the President of the Government stressed that bilateral relations between Spain and Algeria "are enjoying a positive period, with a fluid exchange of trips and visits that help foster mutual trust and cooperation for responding to common challenges".

Mariano Rajoy explained that he and Abdelmalek Sellal confirmed "the effective collaboration" that exists between the two countries on home affairs issues, "placing special emphasis on counter-terrorism cooperation and cooperation on efforts to combat illegal immigration".

The President of the Government recalled that Jihadi terrorism is one of the greatest threats in the world today and is affecting both western and Muslim countries. In this regard, he highlighted the "positive collaboration" with Algeria to combat this phenomenon. "We hope this collaboration continues to improve in the future, with Algeria and with any other country wishing to take up this fight; and that requires efforts to be made in many directions".

In his opinion, it is not only a question of police efforts or efforts by the intelligence services but rather "avoiding the existence of failed States". "Whenever there is a lack of government, an absence of strong institutions or State law enforcement agencies, we are undoubtedly creating a breeding ground for terrorists and we inevitably get what is happening today", he said.

As regards the situation in Libya, Mariano Rajoy said that Spain and Algeria agree on the urgent need to reach a political and negotiated solution to the conflict and to support the United Nations mediation efforts. "The agreement in principle signed ten days ago, although partial and lacking support from all parties, is a positive step towards forming a national unity government, which is the immediate objective. That government represents the best instrument for guaranteeing territorial integrity in Libya, for combating Jihadism", he said.

As regards the instability affecting the Sahel region, and Mali in particular, where Spain is leading the European armed forces training mission, Mariano Rajoy congratulated Abdelmalek Sellal on his mediation efforts that have led to the signing of a peace and reconciliation agreement between the government in Bamako and the movements in the north.

Furthermore, the President of the Government of Spain and the Prime Minister of Algeria examined relations between Algeria and the European Union, and welcomed the role played by the former at the informal ministerial meeting between the EU and the countries of the southern neighbourhood held on 13 April 2015 in Barcelona.

Trade relations and sector meetings

Pool MoncloaMariano Rajoy and Abdelmalek Sellal also reviewed the political and economic situation in the two countries, with a special focus on fostering trade relations and investment. The President of the Government stressed that "Spain was Algeria's top customer in 2014 and its fourth supplier globally, and Algeria is Spain's second-largest trade customer in Africa and our country's top African supplier".

Various sector meetings were held within the framework of this High-Level Meeting. The Algerian and Spanish ministerial departments reviewed their joint projects and explored new areas for cooperation.

According to the President of the Government, the day culminated with the adoption of a joint declaration and "the signing of various agreements in such important areas as infrastructure, education, fisheries, agriculture, healthcare, young people and technological cooperation".

Mariano Rajoy stressed that, besides the meetings held on Tuesday, an economic and business forum was held on Monday at the headquarters of the Spanish Confederation of Business Organisations (Spanish acronym: CEOE) that ended with a "highly satisfactory result and was attended by over 300 business leaders from the two countries".

"National sovereignty will not be broken", says Mariano Rajoy.

Pool MoncloaIn response to questions from the media regarding the intentions expressed by the pro-independence coalition in Catalonia, Mariano Rajoy stressed that the elections to be held when they are called by the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia are regional elections and "serve only to elect regional parliaments". He added that the Government of Spain is "prepared for any problem that certain people may cause in the future" and conveyed a message of calm "because national sovereignty will not be broken and because there will be no independent Catalonia".

The President of the Government reiterated that his position is in favour of stability, of offering certainty to the people, of a Catalonia within Spain and within Europe, and for the people who live in Catalonia to be able to continue being Spanish, Catalan and European without anyone forcing them to choose between being one or another. He then went on to say that he does indeed stand against "those people trying to break what has been united for centuries, those people who care nothing for real problems and the general interest of the people".

"I will not join in a bidding war", says Mariano Rajoy

When asked about the subsistence income announced by the leader of the opposition if he were elected to power, the President of the Government replied "I don't think anything at all can be solved with a bidding war and announcements about billions; naturally, I will not join in such an exercise".

In his opinion, creating jobs is the fundamental priority. "During the next legislature, if we maintain the same economic policy and continue at the same pace, we will reach a figure of 20 million people in work", he said. The second goal will be to foster equal opportunities and, at the same time, offer support to the most vulnerable.