Pedro Sánchez: "Europe must play a leading role in defending a rules-based international order"

Brussels (Belgium)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, appears before the media following the European Council meeting (Pool Moncloa/ Borja Puig de la Bellacasa y Pool UE)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has taken part in the ordinary meeting of the European Council, in which the EU27 discussed aspects relating to external relations, such as the war in Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, as well as internal EU issues, including the economy, competitiveness, and the next Multiannual Financial Framework. It was a Council that demonstrated that "Europe must continue to play a fundamental and leading role in the defence of an international order based on rules", the President of the Government explained.

During the day, the EU27 met with the Secretary General of the UN, António Guterres, a meeting promoted by Spain, in which the importance of the Fourth United Nations Conference on Financing for Development, which will be held in Seville between 30 June and 3 July, stood out. The conference must produce "an ambitious and firm commitment from the international community to improve the multilateral system in general and that of financing for development in particular", said the President of the Government.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, appears before the media following the European Council meeting | Pool Moncloa/ Borja Puig de la Bellacasa y Pool UE

Commitment to Ukraine

The Council reaffirmed its support for Ukraine, calling for a just, lasting and comprehensive peace, accompanied by strong and credible guarantees. It is also committed to maintaining pressure on Russia to weaken its ability to continue the war by imposing more sanctions or strengthening existing ones. In this regard, the President of the Government stressed that Spain supports the proposal put forward by Finland, which proposes a three-phase development: ceasefire, negotiation, and a just and sustainable peace based on security guarantees.

On the European debate on strengthening security and defence capabilities, Pedro Sánchez pointed out that in addition to the existential importance of the EU's eastern flank, the EU27 must also pay attention to "the situation in our Mediterranean neighbourhood: Gaza, Syria, Lebanon". He added that "from Spain we strongly condemn the atrocious and unacceptable attack against Gazan civilians: The deaths of hundreds of children, the blockade of humanitarian aid, and the cuts in electricity and basic resources are absolutely unacceptable as a matter of humanity".

Pedro Sánchez went on to underline that Europe's security and defence drive must strengthen competitiveness and innovation, with a commitment to investment in dual-use technology, recalling the opportunity this represents for Spanish companies, leaders in the sector.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánche, during the speech by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at the European Council working session | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa y Pool UE

Green competitiveness

The President of the Government highlighted the OECD's growth forecasts, which indicate that Spain will once again be the best performer among the major European economies this year, stressing that Spain is a clear example of the fact that ecological transition and economic growth are complementary: "In the face of the forces that use the Green Pact as a scapegoat, the Government of Spain demonstrates that the model of the 3 Cs - grow, share and care for the planet - is a model of success".

In this regard, Pedro Sánchez emphasised the crucial role of energy in improving competitiveness. He advocated a cleaner, cheaper and more autonomous European production agenda, as Spain has been leading for years, stressing the importance of "the commitment to renewables being accompanied by infrastructures in interconnections that develop their full potential".

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, answers questions from the press upon his arrival at the European Council | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa y Pool UE

With regard to the White Paper on the Future of Defence, presented yesterday by the European Commission, President Sánchez pointed out that the section on partnerships with third countries and NATO and the weight given to the importance of training and qualification of people to work in the field of security are particularly relevant, given their interest for Spain.

On the next Multiannual Financial Framework, the President of the Government insisted that the EU needs resources commensurate with its ambitions.

Non official translation