The President of the Government of Spain is committed to "a united and collaborative Europe" to face external threats and strengthen our strategic autonomy

Zamudio (Bizkaia)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, took part in the inauguration of ITP Aero's new advanced aerospace manufacturing centre (ADMIRE) in Zamudio (Bizkaia), where he underlined the Government's firm commitment to "a united and collaborative Europe" to face external threats and strengthen the strategic autonomy of the European continent in key sectors.

"We will defend our interests against those who want to attack European economies with tariffs that are completely unjustified and that threaten our economic sovereignty in a veiled manner", stressed the President of the Government of Spain, who was accompanied by the lehendakari Imanol Pradales and the delegate of the Government in the Basque Country, María Soledad Garmendia.

Sánchez stressed Spain's and the European Union's commitment to the defence of its sovereignty. "We will respond with measures proportionate to the challenge. We will do it together, with targeted assistance to all sectors of our economies that may be affected by an unfair and unjustified trade war that we hope will not be carried out", the president assured.

Likewise, the head of the Executive highlighted the value of Europe's economic and commercial leadership, as well as the common position of collaboration between countries, trade openness and the multilateral system. "The European Union is a global power that will respond to any kind of threat, involution or closure of economies by advancing and opening up the world," Sánchez remarked.

Public-private partnerships, human capital formation and sustainability

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to the aerospace manufacturing centre | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his visit to the aerospace manufacturing centre | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President of the Government of Spain has reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to a green reindustrialisation of the economy that reinforces Spain's position as a benchmark in energy and ecological transition. "We have no doubt: the future of our economy can only be seen from a technological and green perspective", said Sánchez.

In this line, the head of the Executive focused on the objective of ensuring Spanish industry accounts for 20% of our GDP by 2030. To this end, Sánchez pointed out three priority fronts that frame the Government's industrial action: public-private partnership, human capital training and a commitment to sustainability, competitiveness and territorial cohesion.

Sánchez highlighted the weight of the Basque Country in these three priority lines of action. The impact of the Recovery Plan funds in the region, with more than 48 billion euros and around one million beneficiaries, the Basque Country's benchmark model in the implementation of Dual Vocational Training, and the development of the Basque Hydrogen Corridor, are clear examples of the Government's roadmap in this three-pronged approach.

The data also support the Executive's confidence in this green and digital reindustrialisation of the economy. The annual rate of the Spanish industrial production index grew in December above the European average and Spain now has 250,000 more people employed in technology sectors, a growth of 40% compared to 2018.

Europe's security and strategic autonomy

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the aurresku of honour upon his arrival at the aerospace manufacturing centre | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the aurresku of honour on his arrival at the aerospace manufacturing centre | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

During his visit to the ITP Aero facilities, the President of the Government of Spain praised the company's participation in projects relevant to security and Europe's open strategic autonomy, such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, promoted by Spain, France and Germany.

"Companies like ITP are a guarantee for the future both for European defence and for the economy of the Basque Country and Spain", stressed the head of the Basque Government, "not only because of what they represent in terms of generating quality employment, but also because of their enormous potential in terms of innovation and sustainability, which are decisive for making progress in the commitment to reindustrialisation".

ITP Aero, the world's leading manufacturer of components and systems for the aerospace industry, specialises in the design, development and maintenance of aeronautical propulsion systems and components for commercial and defence aviation.

Non official translation