Pedro Sánchez calls for swift uptake of Digital Green Certificate to recover safe mobility in EU

The European leaders also exchanged opinions on matters of foreign affairs policy, such as trans-Atlantic relations with the United States, the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey and Russia.

In terms of the epidemiological situation, the 27 leaders underlined the need to accelerate the production, distribution and administration of vaccines to overcome this crisis. The leaders therefore support the proposal from the European Commission to strengthen the vaccine export transparency mechanism based on criteria of reciprocity and proportionality. President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, particularly highlighted the need to guarantee a supply of raw materials and intermediate and disposable items, as well as to insist that pharmaceutical companies comply with their commitments.

Also subject to discussion at this meeting was the vaccination certificate or Digital Green Certificate. The President of the Government underlined the urgency of implementing this instrument in order to achieve a gradual recovery of mobility within the EU while protecting the health of all citizens. He also defended universal, equal and affordable access to the tools being used to combat the pandemic, including the development and distribution of vaccines through COVAX. He asked for added momentum to be given to the "European vaccine sharing mechanism" with a view to making significant donations to Latin America.

External Relations

The 27 leaders discussed the situation in the eastern Mediterranean and relations with Turkey. An agreement was reached in this debate on the text submitted by the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and the President of the European Commission, enabling progress on a positive agenda if the existing constructive attitude from Turkey continues.

Furthermore, information was provided on relations with Russia following the latest conversation between Charles Michel and Vladimir Putin.

The US President, Joe Biden, also took part by videoconference in this part of the meeting to discuss issues related to future cooperation, thereby confirming the revitalisation of relations with the EU.

Single market, digital transformation and Euro Summit

Pool Moncloa / Fernando CalvoThe Industrial Strategy was the focus of debate on economic affairs. The President of the Government called for a significant boost to this strategy in order to build a strong and strategically autonomous industrial sector. In this regard, the working document on "European strategic autonomy" presented by Spain and the Netherlands was positively received. This document identifies 13 key areas in which further priority efforts are needed to develop that strategic autonomy, such as the single market, the digital transformation, innovation, healthcare, the environment and energy.

On the matter of digitalisation, the President of the Government defended the need to foster digital skills in the population in order to ensure that everyone can benefit from this digital transition, and he proposed working towards the adoption of a Digital Rights Charter to thereby guarantee that digitalisation maintains a focus on people.

At the Euro Summit, Pedro Sánchez underlined the importance of making progress towards a stronger role for the Euro at an international level based on the excellent opportunity presented by the issue of debt from Next Generation EU. He insisted on the importance of launching recovery plans as soon as possible, continuing the fiscal stimulus and maintaining coordinated action.

Non official translation