​Mariano Rajoy says Malaga was right choice for first Pompidou Centre outside France

Pompidou Centre Malaga, Malaga

In his speech, Mariano Rajoy first remembered the victims of the tragic plane crash earlier this week in the French Alps. Mariano Rajoy offered "heartfelt condolences and solidarity to all the victims, and their families and loved ones. He also expressed sincere gratitude to the President of the Republic of France and the Government of France for "their extraordinary collaboration and assistance at this painful time".

Mariano Rajoy explained that the condition of France and Spain as neighbours has created "a strong set of ties and relations in all walks of life". Thanks to that, he said, today we bear witness to "one of the greatest cultural events of the year in our country: the inauguration of the Malaga Pompidou Centre.

Malaga, a welcoming, hospitable and entrepreneurial city

The President of the Government described the opening of this new art centre as "exceptional" and praised the choice of Malaga as the city in which to open the first Pompidou Centre outside of France. "This centre stems from the leadership shown by the Pompidou Centre and its will to internationalise, but is also the consequence of the dynamic and ambitious nature of an entire city that has often stood at the vanguard of our history".

Mariano Rajoy highlighted the qualities of Malaga as a "welcoming, hospitable and entrepreneurial city". Besides being the leading tourist destination in southern Europe (with over 3.5 million visitors per year and 1 million people staying in the city itself), it is home to some of the most cutting edge infrastructures in Spain and the second-largest cruise ship port on the Iberian Peninsula.

At present, said Mariano Rajoy, Malaga has made culture a focal point for a new period of development. Over 30 cultural centres or initiatives are enjoyed by both residents and visitors alike, such as the Picasso Museum, the Contemporary Art Centre, the Carmen Thyssen Museum, the Film Festival, the collection from the Saint Petersburg State Russian Museum and the future Malaga Museum in the Palacio de la Aduana [Customs House] - a project to which the Spanish government is fully committed.

The Pompidou Centre will project the image of Malaga in Europe and around the world

Mariano Rajoy said that the Malaga Pompidou Centre further enhances the cultural offer in the city. In this regard, a commitment has been made to convert the new art centre "into a flagship of the union between two countries in pursuit of spreading cultural treasure of unequalled value".

The new art centre, which houses almost 100 works from the impressive collections kept by the Pompidou Centre in Paris and various temporary exhibitions, will serve to "place exceptional emphasis on the image of Malaga in Europe and around the world".

The President of the Government is convinced that Malaga will continue to be "a spearhead of the current economic and social growth in Spain". He stressed that 2015 will be better than 2014, although a great deal of work remains to be done. "Our country has lived through a very tough and very difficult period. We are now starting to grow; jobs are now starting to be created".

The Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre, the President of the Pompidou Centre, Alain Seban, and the French Culture and Communication Minister, Fleur Pellerin, also spoke during the inauguration of the new Malaga Pompidou Centre.