Mariano Rajoy highlights EU's "firm intention" to cooperate with African Union countries

Brussels (Belgium)

According to Mariano Rajoy, the European Council principally tackled the migratory crisis currently being experienced in Europe, an issue on which "several positive steps" have been taken which will be finalised at the upcoming European Union-African Union Summit in Malta.

The President of the Government explained that three criteria have been set. Firstly, it is the "firm intention of the EU to cooperate with Member States of the African Union". According to Mariano Rajoy, this "is very positive" because "while there are people unable to live a dignified life in their own country, they will obviously try to go to other countries". Hence, the solution lies in "cooperating with African countries and trying to improve their standard of living".

Trust fund to help African Union countries

Secondly, Mariano Rajoy added that a decision has been taken "to work alongside African countries that so wish in helping to protect their borders" and thus avoid human trafficking. Finally, an agreement will be sought "to repatriate those people who, exploited by mafias, move from their own country to Europe".

President of the Government Rajoy also announced that a trust fund is being set up "with a view to having sufficient resources to help these countries to try and raise their standard of living and thus bring an end to the dramatic and terrible spectacles we have been witnessing in the Mediterranean over the recent years".

Agreement with Turkey

As regards the situation in Turkey, the President of the Government explained that "it is important for the EU to help" this country, since the more than 2 million refugees that have arrived there are "generating many difficulties", due to the practical impossibility of attending to so many people fleeing from Syria". However, he clarified that no specific economic amount has yet been earmarked to this end.

As regards the conflict in Libya, Mariano Rajoy underlined that the EU trusts that "a government will soon be formed with which dialogue will be possible and that will help the country to operate in a better manner". As regards Syria, he pointed to the need "to normalise the situation in this country". As well as recalling that "the main enemy is DAESH", he added that it is necessary "to form the most representative government possible", although "as a definitive solution, this should not be headed up by Bashar al-Assad".

Climate Change Summit

The President of the Government stressed that the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, made an initial speech at the European Council to report on the new aspects of the "referendum due to take place in his country". David Cameron asserted, among other things, that "he would like to see the United Kingdom remaining in the EU".

Another issue also studied by the European leaders in Brussels was the Climate Change Summit that will start on 30 November in Paris, which will be attended by the President of the Government.