Statement by President of the Government prior to European Union-Community of Latin American States (CLACS) Summit

Brussels

President of the Government.- As you are aware, we have come here today to a meeting between the European Union and CLACS, which comprises the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean. This is a very important meeting for Spain, because it was Spain that promoted this type of meeting some years ago now. Its main aim is to bring the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean, and Europe, closer together. We should not forget that these are two regions in the world bound by similar values, principles and many trade and investment relations.

Hence, that is the main aim of this meeting, regarding which I would like to highlight two or three issues.

Firstly, I am very pleased that the Agreement between the European Union and Colombia and Peru to release the citizens of these countries from visa requirements for short trips can be endorsed today. This was a Spanish initiative. In the summer of 2013, I called the presidents of both countries. I believe that it is very positive that any Colombian or Peruvian citizen will now be able to come to the European Union without requiring a visa. And we are also working - this will be launched today - so that Ecuadorian citizens of whom, as you aware, there are many in Spain, will also be able to enjoy this possibility.

Secondly, I believe it is very important for us to talk about MERCOSUR. For the countries of America's Southern Cone it would be very positive to have an agreement such as other Ibero-American countries already have in place, for Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay, and yesterday I spoke with the President of Paraguay about this issue. This also concerns us.

And thirdly, an important goal for Spain is that the agreements with Mexico and Chile, which already exist - political, cooperation, trade and investment agreements - are strengthened and extended.

Hence, these are some of the proposals that we bring to the table here today. It is very important for Europe, but also for Spain, due to the many varying ties that bind us to the countries of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Q.- President of the Government, what do you feel about Felipe González leaving Venezuela? What will happen now to the political prisoners?

President of the Government.- We wish exactly the same for Venezuela as we do for Spain. The people of Spain and Venezuela have relations, as you are aware, dating back centuries and of all shapes and forms; there are a great many Spaniards that still live there even now. And what we want is democracy, liberty, human rights, respect for the law, the rule of law, progress and well-being.

Felipe González went there at the request of the families of certain people, political leaders, above all, who were in prison. He went there with the support, and after having spoken - I personally talked with him - of the Government of Spain, and I would like for this visit, during which some of the things that Mr González sought were not accepted by the Venezuelan Government, to serve to highlight that there are many things that we still need to work on in the future in order to achieve the same goals and the same rights for the people of Venezuela as the rest of us enjoy.

Q.- President of the Government, in Spain, Ciudadanos has reached an agreement with the PSOE in Andalusia and a tentative agreement with the PP in Madrid. Do you like these agreements? Do you think they are good for stability?

President of the Government.- I have always said, not just a fortnight ago but my whole life, that, as a general rule, the most voted-for party, unless in extreme circumstances, should govern. Hence, I am in favour of the most voted-for party governing.

I will make two further comments: if in Andalusia it has been very positively viewed that the leading party is going to govern, it would also be good if in some local councils in Andalusia where the people's Party has won, such as Cadiz, Cordoba, Seville, Jerez and Marbella, among others, if the most voted-for party also governed. In other words, what makes no sense is that in some cities the most voted-for party is worthy to govern whilst in others it is not. Hence, if the leaders of the PSOE in Andalusia feel it is right for the most voted-for party to govern, something which I believe is right, I hope that this concept can also be applied to local councils.

Secondly, I will make another comment that seems important to me: I am in favour of transparency in pacts, but also in stability. To the extent that pacts can lead to stable governments, with shared programmes, this is positive, because if, in the end, someone in a simple minority is allowed to govern, that is much more complicated, isn't it? Hence, we don't know what programme they intend to carry out.

But, I repeat, I am in favour of the most voted-for party; I am in favour of stability, a game plan and that people say "here is a government for the next four years with a political programme", and that the principle of the most voted-for part is applied everywhere. Because I am, quite frankly, very concerned by these agreements we are seeing in some parts of Spain, where the Socialist Party, instead of placing itself at the political centre, is making pacts with radical left-wing parties which will give them certain very important mayoral offices in Spain; probably those of the three most important cities in our country. I believe that this is not positive, because I believe that at this time Spain needs stability, security, certainty and to continue working hard to further consolidate economic recovery and job creation.

Hence, for a party that was the governing party of the Government of Spain, and is a centre party and yet does not have a single goal except for the People's Party, although it has won, to not govern, is, I believe, not good for them or for the people of Spain as a whole, nor is it good for continuing along the economic lines that we are maintaining.

Q.- President of the Government, will you try and seek support for Mr De Guindos?

On another note, the Vice-President of the Government is saying that any changes are in your mind alone and that we need to speak to you directly about this. Can you give us any clues?

President of the Government.- Two things: firstly, the Eurogroup. We would like to head up the Eurogroup, as everyone knows. Firstly, we have a very good candidate - everyone has their own opinion, but I believe that he is a very good candidate and among the best that sit on the Eurogroup - who is our Minister for Economic Affairs. Next, Spain is the fourth largest economy in the Eurozone; in other words, by size and by Gross Domestic Product, Spain also has an entitlement to head up the Eurogroup; which doesn't mean to say that others don't. Then you have a fact that is very important: back in 2012, I remember we were described as the weak man in Europe: we had no economic growth, the unemployment figures were appalling, every day more people were losing their jobs… Spain and, above all, the people of Spain have made a great sacrifice. In Spain, people have had a hard time and there are still people having a hard time; but we are no longer the weak man in Europe. Yesterday, the International Monetary Fund said that we would be the country to enjoy the highest growth in Europe.

These things should also be valued, shouldn't they? Because, when people are capable of making progress, of coming out on top after overcoming hugely difficult situations, although there are still many things to do, this should also be taken into account and this, of course, legitimises us to present our candidate to the Presidency of the Eurogroup, and we will present him and maintain that position. It will then be up to those whose job it is to make a decision.

As regards changes in my government, you already know that I will have to give you the answer that is exactly what you expected, don't you? But I will say two things: the President of the Government has two powers - sometimes people don't… of course, that's not easy to understand… - which are his and his alone, because all other powers have to be shared with everyone else, which is all well and good. Appointing ministers is one of the powers of the President of the Government, as is dissolving Parliament, as indeed they are of any President of the Government.

So, let me tell you one thing; I haven't decided when elections will be held. I appreciate that everyone can speculate, and that is fine, but no decision has been taken. And, when elections are called, I will obviously make this known to the public.

What I can say is that we need to take advantage of this point in time because things are now improving. I would remind you of what the International Monetary Fund said yesterday. If Spain is going to be the country to enjoy the highest growth in Europe, we are at a point in our recovery that needs to be harnessed to the full. In terms of job creation and social security affiliation, the last few months have been good. I hope that this month of June will also be good in terms of job creation and social security affiliation, and hence, there is still time in this term of office to continue doing things and to take advantage of the fact that the measures that have been adopted are starting to bear fruit.

Hence, based on this premise and taking into account that terms of office last for four years and that bringing elections forward only makes sense on a purely technical basis or because one cannot govern due to a lack of support, this is also a rule of stability and normality. On this basis, you can more or less guess when elections will take place.

Q.- And as regards possible changes in your government and in the party, you said that this would take place before the summer. The summer is nearly upon us.

President of the Government.- Yes, this will take place before the end of the month. I will have to take certain decisions before this month is out, with two main aims, from the point of view of… The first one I have already explained, which is from the point of view of the general interest of the Spanish people. We must take advantage now of the possibilities for recovery and for job creation.

And then, I also have to take, from the point of view of the party, in my role as General Secretary of the Party, because I am wearing two caps: as President of the Government and as head of the People's Party, and I will now speak to you as Secretary of the Party… We, like everyone else, want to win the upcoming general elections and we want to have the trust of the largest number of Spaniards possible. There are things that need to be rectified, and I am the first to recognise that, and there are things that we need to do better. We have probably devoted ourselves - because it was the most important thing to do - to trying to save Spain from bankruptcy and from the chaotic situation at that time, but there are more things and there are many people who voted for us back then who didn't vote for us on other occasions, and I am going to try to work to win back their trust. I will do everything I can and I will have to take certain decisions.

Q.- Will we see these changes upon your return from Milan next week?

President of the Government.- No, but before the summer.
Thank you very much.