Statements by President of the Government prior to meeting of European People's Party

Brussels

President of the Government.- Good day. As you know, I am here because we have a meeting of the European Council but before, as is usual, the different political parties will hold our own party meetings; hence, I have come here to the meeting of the European People's Party where we will discuss the upcoming Council meeting.

There are three issues that seem important to me here. The first, we are going to speak about the economic situation in the European Union and the outlook for the future. I am optimistic about the development of both the European economy and of the Spanish economy. We have forecast growth for this year of 2.5%, I believe that we will grow by 2.5% and I believe things will go well towards the end of the year. The number of jobs we could create this year, if we maintain stability - and don't do what we shouldn't - could be clearly above the number of 400,000 and this will also be a very positive figure. And I think that the foreign trade sector will continue to work well.

So, I believe that, from an economic point of view, we will continue moving down this path of recovery we have been treading for some time now, and we need to continue because the goal is to ensure 20 million people in work in our country. Hence, the first issue is the economic situation. I repeat, I believe that things will go well if we act sensibly and with common sense.

The second point is the debate on the future of Europe. My position is clear in respect of the meeting in Rome on 25 March. Three ideas: the first is that Europe is a success story, as I said last Monday in Paris, and those of us who believe in this success story and who believe in this region of the world called Europe, which is the leading global economic power, the leading trading power with a universal pension, health and education system like no other, must defend this project together.

Secondly, we must pay close attention to those issues that concern European citizens, fundamentally the fight against terrorism, external security, immigration policy, growth, employment, above all youth employment, and maintain the pillars of our Welfare State.

And thirdly, and looking to the future, to where we are heading, I believe that Europe must show itself as a united region and that, moreover, we must aspire to achieving greater integration, both from an economic point of view, and from the perspective of internal and external security.

That will be my position.

Lastly, today there is another important issue also on the Council's agenda, which is the election of its President for the next two and a half years. Spain's position, which I have already communicated to the Maltese Prime Minister, is to support Donald Tusk. I believe that he has done a good job, and I also believe that Europe needs stability and not to keep making changes that don't lead anywhere. Now that things are going reasonably well, albeit with the inevitable problems of any human work, I believe this is the right time to maintain Donald Tusk in his post and to announce that: we are working towards stability, economic recovery is becoming increasingly consolidated, and at the end of the day, that is what matters to the people.

Q.- President of the Government, this morning Albert Rivera accused you of breaking your word since you have not followed through on what you agreed in terms of corruption. To what extent is the pact signed with the orange formation in danger?

President of the Government.- Two or three points. I have not failed to comply with anything. We are going to try and redirect this situation, because it doesn't lead anywhere. The pact exists. Many things have already been complied with. This legislature is only four months old; a legislature tends to last for four years and it is obviously my intention at this time to reach an agreement on the main issues that Spain is facing. It makes no sense to argue about one issue when there are other issues that are truly important for the lives of the Spanish people.

Not long ago, for example, the social security figures were published. Lasta Year there were 580.000 more contributors to the Social Security system. That is what, as President of the Government, I want to concern myself with. There are very important issues: the future of Europe - which which we are talking about here now - is a very important change for Spain; we have a debate under way on pensions, another key issue for Spain, and we have another debate under way on the education model.

These are the important issues. We can also talk about other things. A committee has been set up. I have already expressed my interest in talking, I maintain this and I believe that the best thing at this time is for us all to remain calm and resolve things how they are habitually resolved, through dialogue. I do not know of any other procedure.

Thank you very much.