"Spain will continue to support the Central American process of integration", says Mariano Rajoy

Guatemala City (Guatemala)

During the joint press conference given by the two leaders after the meeting, the President of the Government of Spain described relations between the two countries as excellent. "It gives me great satisfaction to see that we maintain fluid political dialogue based on mutual trust and respect", he said.

Mariano Rajoy said they discussed the fact that Spanish companies are showing increased interest in the opportunities to be found in Guatemala. "They are attracted by the country's macro-economic stability, which is clearly something that should be preserved and regarding which Guatemala is a benchmark country, but they are also attracted by the perspectives offered by the Central American integration process and the Association Agreement with the European Union, which should be harnessed to its full potential", he said.

Cooperation and security

The President of the Government believes that extensive experience has been accumulated after over 25 years now of constantly responding to proposals from the Government of Guatemala and initiatives launched under the regional integration process.

As he did on Sunday during a visit to the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation Training Centre and Workshop School in Antigua, Mariano Rajoy said that "Guatemala will continue to be a priority for Spanish development cooperation".

Pool MoncloaThe two leaders also discussed the situation in Latin America and, more specifically, Central America. "Spain firmly believes that cooperation, free trade and integration represent the future for every region of the world, and that is why we will continue to support the Central American integration process. In this inter-dependent world, there are challenges that cannot and should not be faced alone. The more united we are, the stronger we will be", said Mariano Rajoy.

Furthermore, the President of the Government expressed Spanish political support for the Alliance for Prosperity. "I am absolutely convinced that it will start to produce results very soon, which will be enjoyed by the citizens of its member countries", he said. He also said that the Government of Spain will continue to support the Central America Security Strategy, as well as the EU Strategy on Citizen Security for Central America and the Caribbean, and its Action Plan, which will be approved during the next EU-CLACS Summit in Brussels in June.

The President of the Government concluded his speech by reaffirming to the countries of the Central American Integration System (Spanish acronym: SICA) that Spain will continue to support this region and an integration process in which both Guatemala and Spain strongly believe.

Cuba and the United States

When asked about a possible opening up of diplomatic relations between the United States and Cuba, Mariano Rajoy replied that this process is supported by Spain as it wishes to see a democratic Cuba where citizens have the same rights and obligations as those in its peer countries.

Ambassador for Peace

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government was appointed "Ambassador for Peace for Guatemala" by the President of Guatemala, Otto Pérez Molina, at a ceremony held in the country's capital.

In his speech at the ceremony, Mariano Rajoy said he is committed to "the future of Guatemala and the future of a region that is increasingly more important on the international stage but which has always been a priority for Spain".

Furthermore, he stressed he will continue to defend the presence of Central American countries on the agenda of the European Union. "You can count on Spain to continue making progress together, to work in the best interests of our citizens. They are our best asset", he said.