Press conference by President of the French Republic and President of the Government following the France-Spain Summit

Mr. Hollande.- Ladies and gentlemen, today I have received Mariano Rajoy and part of his government, for the third time since I became President of the Republic, on the occasion of the France-Spain Summit. Once again, this serves to demonstrate that cooperation between our two countries is exemplary.

We have spoken about our bilateral relations, in particular about issues which are very important on matters of transport and energy interconnections. We also tackled the issue of our options in matters of economic policy so that Europe can be a continent of growth while maintaining its financial equilibriums. And we had a chance to speak about many issues of international importance that interest us, in particular the fight against terrorism and the basis, which we share, to reach an agreement in Paris next year regarding our planet.

In terms of bilateral relations, they are grounded in history and have been very closely linked to culture. In this respect, I reiterated to President of the Government Rajoy that I will have the pleasure of receiving H.M. King Felipe VI on a State visit next March on the occasion of the inauguration of the largest collection of the works of Velázquez ever organised in France, which will be held at the Grand Palais. We also have other projects that we are finalising, in particular, the opening of the Pompidou Centre in Malaga.

This shows that culture has many dimensions and, in fact, I will accompany President of the Government Rajoy to the Picasso Museum today so that we can once again pay tribute to this great artist, who produced notable works while living in France, although it should be stated that he is of Spanish origin.

There is also a long tradition in our relations tied to this common aim to bring our two populations closer together through transport networks. Firstly, railway transport, since the goal of Paris being only five hours away from Barcelona, and of course of Barcelona only being five hours away from Paris, will soon be possible thanks to all the investments we have made, with the first inauguration of this project being held last year.

Interconnections will also give us a means to exchange electricity and gas. In this regard, we want to attain the European target of 10% of electricity interconnections and we will develop our capabilities on both sides of the border. These interconnection projects may be fall under the framework of the Juncker investment plan, and hence may receive financing quickly and on an exceptional basis.

Similarly, we intend to develop maritime transport and we have set in motion a motorway of the sea connecting Nantes/Saint Nazaire and Vigo. This project has been selected by the European Commission to be a beneficiary of this support.

We could also speak about French investments in Spain and Spanish investments in France, of common exchanges, of trade flows, of the number of tourists, etc. All of this shows that, beyond what we can talk about, our people have themselves decided to draw closer together.

Furthermore, we spoke about all the security issues, including, once again, the matter of the fight against terrorism. We have acquired experience in the fight against ETA that could prove useful in the fight against other scourges, in particular, radical combatants, organised crime and drug trafficking. In fact, there have been very impressive results in terms of the seizure of drugs and also in terms of the number of arrests of members of organised crime syndicates.

The second issue of our summit was devoted to Europe. We have reviewed the progress made on matters of stability, of the reliability of our banks and the credibility of the Eurozone. Two years ago this was not clear if we look back at the state of the Eurozone back then, and the particular concerns that were expressed regarding Spain, but not just Spain. Efforts have been made and the results are now coming through.

Banking union forms part, I believe of that which we call this Community acquis for the coming years, thus protecting our continent from other crises and, above all, acting so that taxpayers are not obliged to be called on to support banks that have been badly managed, as was the previous scenario.

Hence, it is very important for us to continue with this process, but this must be meaningful. The efforts we have requested from our peoples not only exist to support financial soundness and stability; we are asking to once again see economic growth and job creation, and that is the reason we want to see the Juncker investment plan implemented, which constitutes an important plan, and we not only want to see it approved, but completed, extended and, above all, implemented quickly. Then, we trust that the European Central Bank will continue to take decisions in providing the liquidity that Europe needs. And finally, we are aware that our public accounts need to be put in order, but this process must be achieved according to growth targets, and this is what we have spoken about.

On another note, I refer to the efforts we have made to help our young people, particularly in relation to training, employment and developing learning skills. The corresponding ministerial departments have worked on this issue. In this very room, a summit was held on the employment of young people, new European loans were committed to help this issue and it is very important that these are fully used and that we do this, principally within the framework of the Youth Guarantee Fund, which has just been extended.

Finally, we have spoken about the major issues on the international stage, where France and Spain defend the same values and advocate the same objectives. As regards climate issues, I know that in a few days, President of the Government Rajoy will travel to Veracruz, in Mexico, where he will advocate the idea of a global agreement which will actually be discussed in Lima at the end of this year.

We have also set a goal of fighting terrorism, particularly Daesh. We will exchange information, step up intelligence actions and help groups that call for democrats to find solutions that allow these two countries to find a way out.

As regards Africa, I have thanked Spain for its efforts, particularly in Mali, where the command of the European force now lies with Spain, and I thanked Spain for its support in the Central African Republic where now, we are starting to pull out, little-by-little from the Central African Republic as the United Nations takes over the mission. Our objective has been met. We are also acting together in the fight against the Ebola virus disease and I appreciate what President of the Government Rajoy has announced in terms of resources and the availability of healthcare personnel and aid for humanitarian organisations.

Spain will also be a useful friend and a valued ally when it takes its place on the United Nations Security Council in 2015 and 2016. For France, it is very important that Spain completely fulfils its role on the international stage.

Thank you very much. Mr President of the Government, I hand over to you now and will then take any questions before moving on to our visit to the Picasso Museum.

President of the Government.- Mr President of the French Republic, ladies and gentlemen, a very good afternoon.

Today's summit, here in Paris on 1 December is the 24th Spain-France Summit.

I would like to make a short speech, I will then take any questions you may have for me, conveying to all of you something of what I also conveyed to the President of the French Republic, François Hollande, which is my government's thanks and the gratitude of the people of Spain as a whole for the efforts made by the French Maritime Rescue Service, which helped a small Galician fishing vessel which was in dire straits. Some of the people onboard were saved, while we hope that others can be found, but, at any event, I must express my gratitude for the efforts, the dedication and the care shown to help these people who were in serious difficulties.

In his speech, President Hollande offered a very good summary of all the issues we have discussed, both him, in his position as President of the Republic, and me, as President of the Government of Spain, and the different ministers that have accompanied us. Hence, I will not repeat his words nor go on for too long regarding what he has already said; I will simply make a brief summary and emphasise those issues that I believe are most important for Spain and those issues which, because they are important for Europe, are also important for my country.

As regards foreign affairs, we have spoken about the difficult situation stemming from what is happening, in Libya. It is very important to look at this situation closely and try to take decisions as soon as possible which can only be designed to foster political dialogue between the different factions involved and, of course, maintain unity and achieve stability in the country.

We have spoken, as President Hollande recalled, about Mali and the Central African Republic; we also spoke about what is taking place in Syria and in Iraq. Our positions coincide.

We did indeed speak about Ebola. You are aware that Mr Hollande is the first Head of State - I am talking about the western world - to have visited one of the three countries most affected by Ebola (Sierra Leone, Liberia and Guinea), where he was just 48 hours ago. As you are aware, Spain, particularly Spanish journalists, have lived through what this means. There are certain Spanish citizens that we have repatriated to Spain from Liberia; unfortunately two people have already died but we have also been able to see that, after a tough time, others have managed to stay alive. This brings us all great comfort and makes me want to remind all healthcare professionals - that have made a great effort and have all made us feel incredibly proud - of how well they did things when it was necessary.

At today's meeting, we devoted a good part of the time to the issue of Europe, the economy and employment. You are aware that Europe is currently undergoing a period of sluggish growth and that we want to improve this growth because we are under an obligation to do so and because that is how we will generate well-being and wealth. You are also aware that inflation in Europe is very low at this time and that this is contributing to limited growth and job creation.

In this regard, we spoke about the Juncker investment plan, the plan announced by the new President of the European Commission, which is a good plan, it represents very significant progress and it is necessary. Spain will support this plan, but we believe that things should be done quickly and that is what we will principally ask for at the upcoming European Council so that new investments can be undertaken in the near future.

We also spoke about public deficit policies, about the ECB and we have backed, which I am making public, the recent assertions made by Mario Draghi on the reminder he gave us of the need to defend the inflationary targets and to improve growth in the Eurozone. The European Central Bank has the independence to take the decisions it sees fit but I believe that these assertions are very positive and will undoubtedly have a significant influence on our countries.

One issue that is very important for Spain is electricity and gas interconnection. The last summit held between France and Spain took place in Madrid in November last year, at which a very important decision was taken, where we saw how the efforts made during a long period of time turned into a reality - the High-Speed Railway between Barcelona and Perpignan. It was confirmed today that one million people travelling between Barcelona and Paris have already used this stretch in 2014.

What we have spoken about today at length is the electricity and gas connections; we have confirmed the commitments made at the latest European Council and, above all, we have agreed to request financing, both under the Juncker investment plan and under the current budget in place for the years 2014-2020, for these gas and electricity interconnections.

We also spoke about cultural issues and about employment, one of the most important challenges for all of the EU Member States, and especially for Spain. Spain has an unacceptable unemployment rate, but it is true that the efforts made over the last years show that we are heading in the right direction. 550,000 new jobs have been created in Spain in the last six months and tomorrow we will see the new recorded unemployment figures and the figures for National Insurance contributors in a month of November which doesn't tend to be good, but I hope that this improved trend in recorded unemployment and in National Insurance contributors also continues in the month of November and into December and, with more intensity, if indeed that is possible, during the course of 2015.

We have also spoken about the Climate Summit, an event of tremendous importance that will take place, as you are all aware, in Paris next year. In fact, as President Hollande mentioned, I will be in Veracruz within a few days and I will do everything in my power to see that the countries in Central and South America also sign up to the targets we agreed to in Europe at the latest European Council.

I will now bring my speech to an end by repeating that I have verified the excellent level of our bilateral relations. I am absolutely convinced that - even though it is very difficult for them to be better - they will only continue to improve in the future and that, of course, both on the part of the Government of Spain and on the part of all those who comprise it, and I am convinced that also on the part of all those in charge of the French public administration services, we will continue to work so that they remain that way in the future.

Thank you very much.

Q.- I would firstly like to ask President Hollande a question. Regardless of how good you say relations are between Spain and France, would you have liked to have received more explicit and continuous support from Mariano Rajoy for your policies in terms of your advocating more flexible policies in Europe.

And for Mr Rajoy, I would like to ask you if you are concerned that you are, to some extent, viewed as the greatest ally of Ms Merkel in terms of austerity policies.

At a domestic level, President of the Government, I would like to ask you if you would be prepared to reach post-election agreements with the PSOE [Socialist Workers' Party]; if you see them as possibilities given the few issues on which you have reached agreement during this legislature and if you believe you will be able to give greater drive to your government by changing certain cabinet ministers, apart from just the new minister to fill the vacant post at the Ministry of Health, Social Services and Equality. I know that your ministers are here, but if…

President of the Government.- You will appreciate that the answer to the last question you have asked is obvious for the reason you yourself have mentioned and for another more important reason, which is that I am very pleased with the work, the effort and the results being achieved by the ministers I appointed back then. Hence, the political drive that will take place will be limited to what I have already announced which will be specified on the day I indicated to all of you.

As regards any post-election agreements with the PSOE, which is the second question you asked me, this issue has not yet been raised. For the time being, no elections are planned and hence we haven't planned for any post-election agreements. What we are concerned about at this time is governing in a complex and difficult situation, and in those agreements reached with our citizens, with those who end up placing their trust on us the day that our citizens speak, which is a very important day in any democracy: the day on which our citizens cast their vote. Hence, this is an issue which hasn't even been raised.

As regards my relationship with Ms Merkel and making European policies more flexible and on austerity policies, I should say that I have a good relationship with Ms Merkel and I have a good relationship with Mr Hollande. I try to have good relationships with everyone and it is not difficult to have a good relationship in either of the cases I have just mentioned.

Now, you talk about flexibility policies and my support for austerity policies. When I came to power in 2012, we had a public deficit of 9.2% while the target set by the European Commission for Spain was 4.4%. You will appreciate that in a situation of recession and in just one year, it is impossible to reduce the deficit from 9.2% to 4.4%. We spoke with the European Commission, we presented our programme; let's say that the Commission appreciated this perfectly, it acted flexibly and now Spain, this year, has to achieve, and we will achieve in 2014, the target of 5.5%. In other words, in three years we will have gone from 9.2% to 5.5%, while in recession in two of those years - 2012 and 2013 - and this year with economic growth.

Hence, I believe that we are all in favour of economic growth in Europe, of creating jobs, of certain levels of well-being and wealth, and of fiscal consolidation, but with reasonable deadlines and at a reasonable pace; we are also in favour of structural reforms and of defending inflationary targets and levels of growth that should exist in the European Union.

Hence, Europe is built on the basis of understandings and agreements between all Member States, and of the experiences of one serving to guide others.

Mr. Hollande.- Never, at no European Council, have I ever had the feeling or impression that Spain, through Mariano Rajoy, held a different position to France on the issue of reducing the deficit, which is necessary, but which must have the much-needed flexibility so as not to affect economic growth.
Similarly, I remember that we also worked together so that in June 2012 there was a greater awareness that Europe needed to react in response to the financial crisis and take exceptional measures, which was indeed done.

As regards the decisions we need to take at this time, Spain and France are in full agreement as to what the Juncker investment plan represents, that is, an important process that still needs to be extended in size and implemented according to a faster schedule.

What is important at this time is that we are aware of not only everything that has been achieved in each one of our countries, as well as at a European level, but also in regard to everything that needs to be done. And, if we are as effective in terms of growth as we have been in terms of financial stability, banking union and the structural reforms that have been undertaken, I have no doubts whatsoever that growth is within our grasp. But we must have the same will-power and we should not have this impression that, as regards discipline, each one needs to make their own efforts, particularly the populations involved, but rather that this effort should be made in order to achieve more growth. If not, those that will abandon us are our very citizens and you cannot run a country if there is no understanding of the efforts that have been asked for.

Q.- There are dozens of ETA prisoners in France at this time and the question has been raised as to their return to Spain following a European decision. Have you spoken about this issue? Have you spoken about the means to implement this return to Spain? Have you considered the possibility of a quick return of the first ETA prisoners to Spain?

Mr. Hollande.- We have a penitentiary policy, only one, and we don't distinguish between prisoners and detainees. So, individual requests for a prison transfer that are made are handled by applying the general criteria relating to security, to carrying out the sentences handed down and to the general conduct by prisoners. There are no exceptions. We are extremely vigilant and attentive so that nothing takes place that could create even the slightest misunderstanding and, above all, the slightest risk. The same policy is applied to all detainees with rules that apply equally to everyone.

Q.- For President Hollande. Despite being a domestic issue, as you always specify, I would like to know whether you observed with concern the continuous attempts by part of Spain, an autonomous region - I refer specifically to Catalonia - to break away.

And also two specific questions of a domestic nature for President of the Government Rajoy. In light of the events that have taken place in the world of football, which today has been in the headlines in all the media, have our political authorities done everything possible to try to prevent what took place in Madrid yesterday? Should any political responsibility be taken?

Secondly, and in light, President of the Government, of the maxim you expressed in the Lower House on the importance of judicial independence and that the justice should be handed out faster, according to you, should Judge Pablo Ruz conclude the case that is open, particularly taking into account that it allegedly affects the formation of the People's Party?

Mr. Hollande.- As regards the issue you mentioned, this is related to the sovereignty of Spain and the sole sovereignty of Spain, and hence this is for Spain to deal with. France should make no judgment call on this issue whatsoever.

What we want to see is a stable Spain, a strong Spain and a Spain that is an ally, as it is today, of France.

President of the Government.- In relation to your first question on football, I should say, and you all know this perfectly well, that football is a sport. It is a sport and often football is much more than that; emotions, fraternity, etc. In other words, football is many things but, of course, it is something that principally should exist, and does exist, to be enjoyed, to have a good time and to entertain.

What took place on Sunday in Madrid is something entirely regrettable and I believe that we must all make an effort - and when I say "all", I mean all: that is, the government, obviously the managerial staff of the clubs, the media - not only to condemn this type of event that takes place, which unfortunately still takes place, and make an effort to try to ensure that this does not happen again in the future.

The State Secretaries for Sport and for Security have appeared today to convey to the public that they are going to explain what happened to Parliament and I am absolutely convinced that, there, they will provide an adequate response to all the concerns that many people may have.

But, I repeat, it is very important that we all get involved in this issue. There are already some clubs in Spain - I will not name them, so as not to appear to prejudice others - that have already made, by themselves, a serious effort to wipe out this kind of behaviour and I believe that it would be positive if we all did this on a joint basis.

As regards the issue of judicial independence, indeed, I have always affirmed the independence of the judiciary - this is one of the maxims of democracy, as it comprises one of the three separate powers under the rule of law - and I continue to do so now. It is not the government's responsibility, but of the governing body of the judiciary, to take decisions on the issue you have mentioned. Hence, I have nothing to say on the matter, whatever decision may be taken, precisely out of respect for the independence of the governing body of the judiciary.

Q.- One question for you, Mr President of the Republic. Nicolas Sarkozy was elected as President of the UMP this weekend. I know that you are very closely linked to the democratic debate. From this point of view, do you believe that this clarification by the opposition with the return of your predecessor as its president is good news?

Mr. Hollande.- I had been calmed by the Spanish question but I wondered whether, out of courtesy, there would be a French question on internal policy. This has just happened and thus allows me not to respond to it.

Thank you very much.