Yolanda Díaz strengthens cooperation with France in the social economy

"Today we are taking a qualitative leap forward in the magnificent relationship between France and Spain", said the vice-president at the summit, where she also met with the French Minister for National Education, Pap Ndiaye, and the French Secretary of State for Social Economy, Marlène Schiappa.

Díaz considers that this declaration of intent allows for joint progress in promoting solidarity and social innovation in both countries. "These values are increasingly necessary in the changing times in which we are immersed," the minister stressed during the signing of the document with the French Minister for Foreign Affairs and Europe, Catherine Colonna.

Increasing bilateral exchanges

The main objective of this Memorandum of Understanding is to increase bilateral exchanges to promote social economy entities and their financing instruments.

To this end, information and good practices will be exchanged on strategies and programmes for the promotion of the social economy, and for their financing, information derived from statistics and possible legal frameworks.

France will also support Díaz in the European Union (EU) Council Recommendation on Social Economy, which will be adopted this year during the Spanish Presidency of the EU-27, and in the development of the EU Action Plan for the Social Economy.

The Vice-President spoke on these issues with the French Secretary of State for the sector, Marlène Schiappa, who expressed her interest in supporting Spain in promoting the first United Nations General Assembly Resolution on the Social and Solidarity Economy, currently being negotiated in New York at the initiative of Spain.

At the summit, the Second Vice-President highlighted the determination with which this more inclusive and sustainable production model is being promoted. "The social economy is an important pillar of our economic and social policies, and we want to further strengthen it, also at European and international level," he said.

Bilateral meeting with the Minister for National Education

During the meeting with the Minister for National Education, Pap Ndiaye, Díaz discussed various issues related to job training. "Thanks to this summit, we are strengthening bilateral cooperation in the field of employment training, labour rights and social dialogue," insisted the vice-president, who explained that it is agreements of this kind that facilitate measures that improve people's lives.

This spirit of great transforming agreements is the driving force behind this new stage in bilateral relations being sealed today with the Treaty of Friendship signed in Barcelona, the agreement between the two neighbouring nations that raises the bilateral relationship to its highest level, and which also includes the promotion of the social economy and cooperation in socio-labour matters. "I am sure that it will lead to a greener, more social and feminist Europe," concluded the vice-president in her speech at the summit.

Non official translation