Statement by President of the Government following European Council meeting

European Council , Brussels (Belgium)

President of the Government. Good evening. Thank you very much. The European Council meeting, as you know, has just finished, at which we have tackled various issues that I will try to summarise as well as I can.

Firstly, the European Council has elected the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, as the new President of the Council for the next years, and the Italian Foreign Affairs Minister, Federica Mogherini, as the new High Representative for International Policy, Foreign Policy and Security.

We are very pleased and we believe that this will help ensure a situation of stability and calm for the European institutions for the years to come. I believe, moreover, that the balance marked by common sense, which is a geographic and ideological balance, and the election of a woman, as I said this morning, has been achieved and hence we are very pleased.

Spain has a very good relationship with both countries, particularly with Poland. I have been there on three occasions since I became President of the Government, the latest visit only recently. The Polish Prime Minister has also visited Spain, he is a confirmed pro-European and we believe that, 10 years after - a good many countries from Eastern Europe - joined the European Union and 25 years after the Wall came down, that someone from the former Eastern Europe should take on the Presidency of the European Council is an extremely positive milestone.

Donald Tusk is, moreover, a capable man, a confirmed pro-European and a past winner of the Charlemagne Prize. Hence, I believe this is wonderful news, as is the appointment of Federica Mogherini.

Secondly, Europe's main priority, which is also Spain's main priority, is economic growth and job creation.

Spain has seen some positive figures, as you are aware, in recent times, including four consecutive quarters of growth. The last quarter, the second of this year, has seen Spain, followed by Portugal, as the European Union country to enjoy most growth, but this is no great source of satisfaction to anyone. We will hold a Youth Employment Summit in October, which will carry on from the work done at the previous summits in Berlin and in Paris last year. We will then discuss growth and employment at the European Council in October, and we will also hold a Eurozone Summit on the occasion of this Council meeting.

I repeat, economic growth and employment are, as they must be, the main priorities for the near future. This has been the case in our country for many months now, as you are all aware.

We have also spoken about Ukraine with concern. The situation in Ukraine is dramatic. A great many people have lost their lives recently, numerous people have been displaced from their own homes and this is a situation that does not belong in a civilised and decent world such as the one we all aspire to.

We have decided to lend our support to Ukraine, to support its territorial integrity, its Constitution and its unity. Aside from that, we believe that it is necessary to increase political dialogue with Russia and resolve this affair as quickly as possible.

You are aware that the European Union and other countries beyond the European Union have imposed sanctions on Russia for its actions. Today we have tasked the European Commission with drawing up new sanctions within a very short deadline so that if necessary they can be adopted in the future.

There is another important issue and this affects Spain. As you know, Russia has banned the import of Spanish fruit and vegetables. We are talking about a considerable volume here, amounting to more than 300 million euros, above all in a sector that is working very well and one which will be severely prejudiced. The Commission has reacted well, but today we have agreed that the Commission will continue to oversee events and, if it becomes necessary to take further measures to compensate those people affected, it shall do so as quickly as possible.

We have also discussed the issues of Iraq and Syria and, upon a request from Spain, we have discussed the issue of Ebola. You are aware of what is happening in certain African countries and you are also aware of what has happened in our country. The main aim is to allocate more resources and try to bring an end once and for all to this situation which is truly dramatic for several African countries and which, moreover, is also generating certain fears in many other countries as a result of the fact that people may have to travel to different countries, as part of this world that we now live in.

Moving on, I am now available to take your questions.

Q.- Will the election of a President of the European Council from a country that does not belong to the Eurozone speed up the creation of a permanent presidency of the Eurogroup that could fall to Mr De Guindos?

President of the Government.- The Eurogroup has not been discussed. As you are aware, the President of the Eurogroup is elected by the Eurogroup itself; he is elected by the Ministers for Economy and Finance and not by the European Council. We haven't spoken about this issue today. We have only dealt, as I said, with the President of the Council and the High Representative. Hence, the fact that he is a person from a country that still does not have the single currency, the Euro, is irrelevant in this respect. At any event, for the time being, and this was also agreed on today, Mr Tusk will continue to preside over the Summits of Heads of State and Government of the Eurozone, as has happened to date.

Q.- Have you spoken with the Dutch Prime Minister about the statements from Dijsselbloem about whether Spain is entitled or not to consider that it should have access to a specific post?

President of the Government.- No, no. I am not going to get involved in controversy; that makes no sense as I am sure you will appreciate. What I know is that the Spanish Minister for Economic Affairs has a significant amount of support. We are also aware that the current President of the Eurogroup is still in office.

But just two years ago, nobody would have thought that the Spanish Minister for Economic Affairs could become President of the Eurogroup and yet he currently has a significant majority in favour of him becoming just that, which goes to show how things have changed in our country, something which gives me great satisfaction. Of course it gives me great satisfaction because I believe, and rightly so, that a major effort has been made in Spain in terms of economic policy over the last few years, as has also been made by Spanish society.

Q.- President of the Government, which commissioner's post does the Government of Spain feel is suitable for Mr Arias Cañete?

President of the Government.- That is for the President of the Commission to decide, in other words Mr Juncker. I have spoken with him today and all I can say is that I was very pleased with the conversation.

Thank you very much and good night.