Mariano Rajoy insists that Spain is the "chief advocate" of Central American in Europe

Guatemala City (Guatemala)

The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, described the meeting with SICA Member States (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic) as a "magnificent opportunity for Spain to take the pulse of the region". Central American has experienced "extraordinary" changes in recent decades and "peace and democratic consolidation have transformed the outlook" for these nations, he added.

From among their challenges, the President of the Government underlined the "dual challenge" posed by the Central America integration process. In his opinion, there is a need to step up the process with the right decisions and policies, "even if they may pose certain problems", but integration should also respond to social needs and become "an attractive and practical process in which citizens can be the main driving force and the main beneficiaries".

Mariano Rajoy advocated progress in the creation of a common market in Central American where the free movement of people, goods and services can be a reality, and said that the EU-Central America Association Agreement is aimed at helping to achieve that goal.

Spain, a gateway to the European Union

The European Union is highly aware of the region when undertaking its projects, said the President of the Government, who encouraged the members of SICA to attend the EU-CLACS Summit (Community of Latin American and Caribbean States) due to be held in Brussels in June. "Spain is its chief advocate in Europe, but you are the ones who can best explain your situation, your requirements and your projects", he said.

Pool MoncloaMariano Rajoy also underlined the mutual benefits to be gained from relations with the EU, both bilateral and regional. "Spain will maintain its commitment to strong and fruitful relations, enthusiastically and with conviction", he said.

The improvement of infrastructure and interconnectivity is another pillar of regional integration, said the President of the Government, who committed to holding a meeting of Spain-SICA Public Works Ministers to find "instruments to ameliorate the efficiency levels and competitivity of the region".

Security in a globalised world

Mariano Rajoy also called for a political boost to the Central America Security Strategy, launched by the Conference of Guatemala in 2011. In his opinion, "there is no need for more studies or diagnoses" in this regard, but rather "projects with real impact in terms of both prevention and strengthening institutional capabilities in the fight against crime, especially judges, public prosecutors and the police".

The President of the Government defended the need to join forces in this regard "in a globalised world where the risks and requirements almost always exceed national capabilities" and where "there are many battles that are impossible to fight alone". In this regard, he highlighted the value of the Action Plan of the EU Strategy on Citizen Security in Central America and the Caribbean, which will be presented at the EU-CLACS Summit.

Spain has supported Central America in all these areas and especially in terms of cooperation, said Mariano Rajoy. "Relations between Spain and Central America are based on respect and appreciation of our peoples, and on mutual solidarity in difficult times. Now, in better circumstances, those relations continue to gain strength. Spain is committed to staying here, listening and talking to build a future of prosperity together", he concluded.