Pedro Sánchez asks European Union for urgent response at level of crisis caused by COVID-19 pandemic

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The Government of Spain trusts that the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, will present a "negotiating box" as soon as possible to the leaders - a negotiating document broadly based on the proposal made by the European Commission, the content of which will be discussed at a future European Council with the aim of reaching an agreement in July.

The proposal presented by the European Commission - Next Generation EU - includes a package with an allocation of 750 billion euros, of which 500 billion will go to transfers and 250 billion to loans.

Pedro Sánchez supports the fact that the Recovery Fund is tied into the Multiannual Financial Framework 2021- 2027, as proposed by the European Commission, and that it is focused on the sectors and geographic areas worst hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. The President of the Government called for the agreement to be in force by 1 January 2021, because, "the more time we lose, the worse the recession will be". He also pointed out that the raft of measures "presents an opportunity to transform and reform European economies, speed up their digitalisation and support the green economy". The proposal seeks to lay the foundations for a more resilient European economy.

It is the first time that the 27 Heads of State and Government have discussed the details of the Commission's proposal. Pedro Sánchez called for countries "to overcome our differences and try to find common ground that sends a signal in the same direction".

The President of the Government concluded his participation by recalling that "what is at stake here is the future of the European project. Without an agreement we all lose".

Non official translation