Interview with President of the Government in the programme "La Tarde" on Cadena COPE radio station

Madrid-Baghdad

Ángel Expósito.- Good afternoon, Mariano Rajoy, President of the Government.

President of the Government.- Good afternoon Ángel. How are you?

Á. Expósito.- A little bit stressed, because this is not exactly lying on a beach in Galicia, but I can assure you that we are doing very well and surrounded by the very best people, President of the Government.

President of the Government.- Undoubtedly so. You are with the Ambassador of Spain in Iraq and by Colonel Ángel Castilla, who is responsible for the Spanish contingent, hence you couldn't be in better company.

Á. Expósito.- What message would you like to convey to our people here, President of the Government?

President of the Government.- The message I would like to covey is that the work they do is so important, dignified and fundamental as to guarantee, as I have just heard, the security, the liberty and the fundamental rights as people of all Europeans and, obviously the people of Spain. In reality, when someone defends the most important things we have as human beings, which are our rights, they can all truly feel very proud of what they do and they can think, and indeed must think, that they are doing something truly important for everyone.

Á. Expósito.- President of the Government, the fight against terrorism is being carried out on a whole range of fronts, quite clearly from Spain, from France and from a whole host of other world capitals, but I imagine that it is fundamental to fight this and provide support in the Sahel, and here in Iraq. Terrorism does not only take place at home, but rather it starts here, doesn't it?

President of the Government.- Above all and fundamentally it starts here. We may then be hit at home, as happened recently in France, and in Belgium, and not long ago in the United Kingdom, and even in Spain, as we will all remember happened with the very sad attack in 2004. But, in reality, today's battles must be fought all around the world and indeed, Spain is in the Sahel, Spain is in Mali, it is also in Senegal and in Iraq, as it is in Turkey and in many other places around the world.

The war on terrorism is global and all those of us who defend certain values, certain principles and certain ideas must work together and be aware that it is very important to do this. And this war is fought everywhere, above all at its origin.

Á. Expósito.- Colonel Ángel Castilla, do we have any news to give to the President of the Government?

Mr. Castilla.- Yes, indeed, Thank you very much, Mr President of the Government, for giving us a few minutes of your time. There is nothing new to add regarding the Spanish contingent in Iraq.

President of the Government.- Thank you very much.

Á. Expósito.- Ambassador José María Ferré.

Mr. Ferré.- Thank you very much, President of the Government, for your words and for all your support, which is very important for us here, and thank you for thinking of us.

President of the Government.- Thank you very much, ambassador. Thank you very much indeed.

Á. Expósito.- I would say, President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, that, looking at things from here, returning home tomorrow and talking about what the politician from Podemos said, and the other one as well, and a bit from the other one, whether the Lower House…; in short, things look a bit different now, don't they! Spanish politics are all well and good but please, just look at what's at stake here!

President of the Government.- Yes, of course, and we will probably have to go soon to the Lower House of Parliament and ask for support to increase the number of personnel there, both of Guardia Civil and military personnel. There are a little over 300 servicemen there at this time and we would like to see this rise to 400. That is what our allies are asking for.

In reality yes, things look different, but Spain is very broad and there are many people who perform tremendously important functions, such as our military personnel: there are more than 2,000 of them posted beyond Spain's borders. Then, in the Lower House we will have to discuss the Budget, Acts of Parliament, control sessions on the government's actions, and I imagine that, as everywhere else, some things will be done in a reasonable fashion while others will leave a lot to be desired. But the Lower House is fundamental, because that is where our national sovereignty operates, and what is important is that we are all able to get things right, whether we are in government or in the opposition.

Á. Expósito.- Mariano Rajoy, President of the Government, from Baghdad, thank you for taking this call from "La Tarde" on COPE. Good luck!

President of the Government.- Thank you very much and keep your spirits up. Colonel, please give the contingent our unconditional support and convey our admiration for everything they do. And thank you ambassador as well; your destination at present is not the easiest of your career.

Á. Expósito.- Thank you, Mr Rajoy. Goodbye.

President of the Government.- Goodbye.