"Cooperation with our southern neighbours is a genuine humanitarian and strategic imperative", says Mariano Rajoy

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Mariano Rajoy received Donald Tusk at Moncloa Palace on Tuesday morning, where the two leaders held a meeting focused on southern aspects of the European Neighbourhood Policy. At a joint press conference following the meeting, the President of the Government recalled that Spain has traditionally been one of the main driving forces behind the EU's policy with the Mediterranean. In his opinion, it is "fundamental" that Europe contributes "with all the instruments within its reach" towards creating a genuine space for shared prosperity between the two sides of the Mediterranean because European leaders cannot continue to stand with their arms folded "in the face of such clear inequality".

After saying that "cooperation with our southern neighbours is a genuine humanitarian and strategic imperative", Mariano Rajoy referred to the Ministerial Conference on the Southern Neighbourhood due to be held on 13 April in Barcelona. Besides placing Barcelona at the centre of EU politics, he said that this summit will resume the Euro-Mediterranean process that was launched 20 years ago at the European Council of Barcelona.

Libya and Jihadi terrorism

Pool MoncloaAs regards the conflict in Libya, Mariano Rajoy advocated "a political and negotiated exit" and expressed his support for the mediation efforts being made by Bernardino León, Special Representative of the UN Secretary General. He explained that the immediate objectives are to obtain a ceasefire and form a national unity government capable of promoting an ordered and inclusive transition process. "Arms should give way to politics once and for all", he said.

As for the fight against Jihadi terrorism, he recalled that it not only jeopardises the security of European citizens but also threatens the democratic way of living together. For this reason, "we must make every effort to eradicate it", he said. He explained the need to develop cooperation with other EU countries and "with our allies, especially the Arab and Muslim countries, which are suffering the senseless nature of Jihadi actions first hand". He also repeated that "this is not a fight between Islam and Christianity but rather a fight between civilisation and barbarity".

Tunisia, Ukraine and Greece

The two leaders also discussed the situation in Tunisia following the terrorist attacks on 18 March. Mariano Rajoy described the attacks as an attempt "to destroy an exemplary transition" and offered Tunisia "support for consolidating its institutions, economic recovery and, naturally, the fight against terrorism".

Pool MoncloaAs regards the situation in Ukraine, the President of the Government said that "there is no room for anything but a political solution" based on compliance with the Minsk agreements. He explained that those agreements have already obtained a ceasefire, "albeit a fragile one". The next objective is to make progress on developing the political process and the economic reforms leading to "the stability we all seek", he added.

As for the Greek crisis, Mariano Rajoy insisted that the Government of Spain "wants Greece to be successful" and "remain in the Euro" because it is good for Greece, for Spain and the EU as a whole. While expressing his desire for "a reasonable solution" to be reached, he said it is important for the EU's ground rules to be followed.

Catalonia

As regards domestic issues and on the matter of Catalonia, the President of the Government explained that - for the time being - regional elections have been announced - not called - to elect a new Catalan Parliament. Once again, he reiterated that "no Government of Spain is going to authorise the fracture of national sovereignty" and that the Government of Spain will continue working towards harmony and integration.

Regarding the new roadmap that has been announced, Mariano Rajoy said that it is "bad" for Catalonia and for Spain because "it goes against the course of history", because it "breaks away from over 500 years of living together" and because it is in breach of the Spanish Constitution.

Healthcare services for immigrants and consolidation of the recovery

Pool MoncloaAs for the decision announced today by the Ministry of Health to once again provide illegal immigrants with primary healthcare services at medical centres, the President of the Government explained that the healthcare services provided to these people are "undoubtedly among the most comprehensive in Europe"; they are entitled to care in emergencies, during pregnancy and during birth - with care also provided to their children - under the same conditions as those received by Spanish citizens.

The goal now is to establish "regulations that are useful" given that "it seems more sensible and reasonable" for these healthcare services to be provided at medical centres and not by the emergency services, in order to avoid the latter being overwhelmed.

Before finishing, Mariano Rajoy explained that the first part of this legislature "was extremely tough" because it was focused on "a great national objective" - overcoming the economic crisis. Today, we are starting to see the first effects of the recovery: taxes have been lowered, jobs are starting to be created and consumption is on the rise. Now, the final stretch of this legislature will have another goal - "for the results of having overcome the crisis to reach all Spaniards", he concluded.