Statement by President of the Government upon arriving in Brussels

Brussels

President of the Government.- A very good day to you all and thank you very much for attending.

We will now hold, as you are aware, the meeting of the European People's Party and later on the meeting of the European Council. One of the most important issues at the meeting of the European People's Party is the meeting of its Congress, due to take place, as you know, in Madrid the following week, on 21 and 22 October. This is an ordinary congress, at which the President, the General Secretary and the Vice-Presidents of the European People's Party will be elected. The Spanish delegation will support Mr Daul, who is the current president, and the Spanish MEP, Antonio López Istúriz, to continue as the General-Secretary of the party.

In principle, we are going to present certain proposals for resolution to this congress; firstly, on the territorial integrity of States, the defence of national unity and on how Europe is at this time, and the defence of national sovereignty, in other words, the citizens of the States, being those who have to take these decisions.

Secondly, we are also going to present a proposal for resolution to undertake economic reforms. Spain's experience over these last few years has proven that, if you undertake economic reforms, if these are serious, if you make an effort and adapt to the changing world, then things work, don't they? We have gone through a period of negative economic growth, with constantly rising unemployment… "The weak man of Europe" was how we were known, whereas now we are the country growing at the fastest rate in the European Union, where most jobs are being created. Hence, we must commit both now and in the coming years to economic reform.

And thirdly, we are going to present a proposal on asylum and immigration, supporting the right to asylum of those people who are unable to live in their country of origin because they are politically persecuted and distinguishing them from unlawful immigration on economic grounds.

We trust that this will be a significant congress. It will be attended by 10 Heads of State and Government of the countries in the European Union, plus the President of the Commission, Mr Juncker, as well as Mr Tusk, the President of the European Council, and 14 European Commissioners that are members of the European People's Party.

I believe that this is very positive for Spain, it gives us visibility and shows that the Spanish People's Party is a party that is respected, supported and appreciated by others.

We will then hold a European Council, where the most important issue will be asylum and immigration. Other issues will be discussed, but not debated at length. David Cameron will present his reform proposal to the European Union; I don't imagine there will be an in-depth debate; this will be left for a little later. I also imagine we will speak about the Free Trade Agreement with the United States, but again not in great detail. And then we will discuss the future of Europe and the Economic and Monetary Union.

But the most important issue is asylum and immigration. We are going to support the right to asylum and we are going to undertake a pilot project: we will send some Spanish liaison officers to Italy shortly to see those people that will be brought to Spain under the so-called "Quota agreement" we have made. At any event, we will continue to defend our position that problems should be resolved at source and that the best thing that can happen is for problems not to exist in the first place, in other words for them to be avoided before taking place.

There will also be a debate on Turkey. We believe that we must support African countries. A summit will be held in Malta shortly. I believe that the European Union must make a major investment, in excess of 1 billion euros, to help these countries do away with poverty, to help them grow and to be economically stronger, because this will help ensure that people live where they want to live, which is at home.

This is an outline of the debates that will be held today and Spain will offer a constructive position, as ever, because it makes no sense not to do so when we are 28 States and decisions are taken unanimously.

Q.- President of the Government, Mr Mas has made a declaration to the courts today, as you know. I wanted to ask you what you feel about this show of force by pro-independence supporters outside the courts of justice. Mr Mas then gave a press briefing at which he spoke about an abuse of power, of institutional fury.

Then, I wanted to know, on this issue, if you are thinking about meeting with the political leaders of other parties to resolve, once and for all, this crisis in Catalonia.

President of the Government.- I believe that what the High Court of Justice of Catalonia and the Judiciary have said about the demonstrations, threats and intimidation outside the courts of justice… It is absolutely unacceptable. I absolutely agree with what the High Court of Justice and the Judiciary have said.

Spain is a democracy and we live in a country that, fortunately, is a democracy. And in democracies there is an executive power - in the case of Mr Mas, he represents this in Catalonia - which governs, there is a parliament that controls it and there is a judiciary that ensures that the law is upheld. Mr Mas is under the same obligation to follow the law as any of the other 46 million Spaniards, as indeed you or me. And, of course, justice in Spain is independent, it is resolved through the law and in application of the law.

Hence, threats, trying to undermine justice and trying to avoid taking the decisions that should be taken is absolutely unacceptable. And in Spain we have seen in recent times something that should be comforting: our justice system has summoned people from different political forces and different approaches to see whether they follow the law or not. And Mr Mas is no exception, he cannot be an exception; in other words, it is unacceptable that three or four people in Spain cannot be summoned by the courts while more than 40 million people can be.

Hence, our basic obligation and the basic obligation of any democrat is to respect judicial rulings and, if you don't agree with them you can appeal them; but we are talking about an issue of rules, the rules of co-existence, of liberty and of democracy. And Mr Mas must appreciate one thing, it is our justice system that guarantees his own rights and liberties. That is how he must view things and, if we all view them as such, things would undoubtedly go much better for everyone. But, of course, threatening the courts is something that is absolutely unacceptable and out of line in a democratic country such as Spain, which it fortunately is and will continue to be forever.

Q.- President of the Government, are you concerned by the situation within the People's Party, about Arantza Quiroga's resignation and this letter that questions your leadership? Do you think with things how they are that you can win the elections in two months' time?

President of the Government.- Yes, I understand Arantza Quiroga. She has made a great effort in a very difficult and complicated place. She has spent 20 years in politics and I understand her. Tomorrow the People's Party will choose a new president from its ranks and we will continue to defend our position.

In life and in all parties… Just look: the Socialist Party has said something like all those under the age of 55 will be removed from the party list. That is something truly noteworthy. People are renewed and parties are renewed, as companies, families and the media are renewed. Arantza has taken a decision. I thank her for the hard work she has put in over these years at a difficult time; but tomorrow we will choose a new regional president, or rather by the People's Party in the Basque Country, and I am sure they will continue to defend our position, as Arantza has done, that of common sense and of improving the country and the economy and ensuring that things go better, and that we are fairer and freer.

Q.- Is the People's Party in crisis, President of the Government? Is the People's Party, as some say, in crisis?

President of the Government.- No, not at all. The People's Party is the biggest political force in Spain and is represented on every single local council in Spain. There is someone everywhere who hoists the flag of the People's Party, which sometimes wins and sometimes loses. We are the party with the most mayors and the most local councillors. It has fallen to us to go through a very tough period. These last four years have not been easy, because we have had to go through everything; but we are still here and those in the ranks of the People's Party can hold their heads high today and say that, while three years ago we were called "the weak man of Europe", we are now the country heading up the economic recovery in Europe, with the fastest rate of economic growth, creating the most jobs and, above all, the country with the best perspective for the future if we are able to maintain the same economic policy.

Hence, we are not something made up yesterday, are we? We have been here since the start of the democracy, since 1977. Sometimes with the support of the Spanish people, sometimes with less support, but I believe we represent a secure option, a solid option. It has fallen to us to go through a tough time. We are very proud that Spain is now one of the strongest countries in the European Union and we believe that in the next four years we can do some very positive things for the benefit of the people of Spain. So we are enthusiastic, we are pleased. Others are against us, but that is democracy: no-one has everyone's support.

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you very much and good day.