Pedro Sánchez commits to an ambitious and supportive European agreement to address the economic impact of coronavirus

The Hague (Netherlands)

Pedro Sánchez and Mark Rutte reviewed the key issues to be debated at the European Council on 17 and 18 July - the details of the recovery fund for the countries worst affected by the crisis caused by Covid-19 and the European Union Budget for the next seven years.

The President of the Government conveyed to the Dutch Prime Minister the importance of reaching a supportive and ambitious agreement in July, which will be beneficial for the whole of Europe. In his opinion, this agreement must be handled swiftly and efficiently.

The Government of Spain considers that the proposal made by the European Commission is the minimum starting point for negotiations. Pedro Sánchez considers that an historic response is necessary in line with the scale of the pandemic and which encourages Europe to exit the crisis as a greener, more digital and inclusive region.

Within the framework of the round of contacts with his European counterparts, the President of the Government met last week with the Prime Minister of the Republic of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, and with the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, with whom he addressed the common challenges prior to the meeting of the EU-27.

Pedro Sánchez will travel to Berlin on Tuesday, where he will meet with the German Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and then on to Sweden, where he will be received by the Swedish Prime Minister, Stefan Lofven.