Statement by President of the Government following attacks in Brussels

Ayamonte (Huelva)

For me, as acting President of the Government, it is an honour to be here today in Ayamonte. I want to thank the mayor for his welcome and to those members of the local council who are here with us. I am very grateful for having been able to sign the local council's book of honour. The honour is mine and I have tried, in a few brief lines, to convey all my affection and warmth and my best wishes to all the inhabitants of this town.

While it is an honour to be here, as you are all aware, today is a sad day for all decent human beings, that is, for the vast majority of people.

As you know, there were several terrorist attacks this morning in Brussels, both on the airport and on the underground system; in the case of the underground, in an area in which many of the offices of the different European institutions are located, including the European Commission, Council and Parliament. Unfortunately many people have died and many others have been injured.

I have had the chance to speak today, at midday, with the Prime Minister, my colleague Charles Michel. I obviously conveyed the condolences and empathy of all the Spanish people and I also offered to try to help with anything he may need from us.

If you will allow me, I will read a statement to set out the government's position and I will read it here, from a corner of the south of Spain, in Ayamonte.

Here I would like to express the pain and dismay felt by this government, and I would dare to say, by everyone, following this morning's brutal attacks.

I would like, in the first place, to pass on my condolences to the families and friends of all those who were murdered, and wish those dozens of people injured a speedy recovery.

I would also like to express Spain's solidarity with our neighbours in Brussels and with all the people of Belgium, who have been hard hit this morning by barbarity and fanaticism.

No-one, as you are aware, is safe from these indiscriminate and brutal attacks. Today it was Brussels' turn; on other occasions this has happened in London, Paris, Madrid and so many other places around the world.

Terrorism is a global threat to civilisation, liberty and human rights anywhere around the world. No religion defends such criminal fanaticism; and, in fact, most of the victims of Jihadi terrorism are Muslims across the globe. There is no possible justification for these barbarities that affect us all and strike us all hard. That is why we must fight Jihadi terrorism as a united front.

Spain, as you are aware, has suffered from the scourge of terrorism on many occasions, but today it wishes to express its support and solidarity for all our brothers and sisters in Belgium. They know that we stand by their side and that they can count on the collaboration of our country in locating and bringing these murderers to justice. That is what I conveyed, as I said before, to the Belgian Prime Minister this morning, to Mr Michel. We have collaborated before in the past, and we are prepared to step this collaboration up now if necessary. Our solidarity with the people of Belgium and its government is total and absolute.

I also wish to thank the different political groups in our country for their responsibility and loyalty. The government undertakes - it has already done so, a meeting is taking place at this time at the Ministry of Home Affairs - to maintain them regularly updated with any new developments and thanks all the groups for the desire they have demonstrated to maintain the principle of the unity of all democrats, which is a basic principle to effectively fight terrorism.

Allow me also to thank the Spanish State law enforcement agencies and intelligence services for their discreet, constant and effective work in protecting our citizens. You are aware that absolute security is a concept that does not exist. It does not exist in the fight against terrorism or in any other walk of life, but I would like to say that the Spanish State law enforcement agencies have shown how effective they are in fighting terrorism and working to defend our lives, our liberties and the individual rights we all have as people and as human beings. I repeat, I wish to thank them for their efforts and for their work to the benefit of all Spaniards.

Finally, I want to say that the fight against terrorism, which is very difficult, and believe me when I say that it is very difficult, requires perseverance, dedication, collaboration within Spain and abroad, and intelligence from us all. Our country, be totally and utterly sure, will spare no efforts in this task.

I repeat what I said at the beginning: for me it is a great honour to be here in Ayamonte. I send out my heartfelt thanks to the mayor and I am just sorry that this visit has coincided with such a sad event as this; but I am sure that after this, everyone in Belgium, throughout Europe and also in Spain, will take up the fight against terrorism with renewed strength and vigour.

Thank you very much.