Statement by President of the Government before taking part in special meeting of NATO

Brussels

President of the Government.- As you are aware, we are going to attend the NATO meeting. This is an extraordinary meeting. It is usual for this to take place every two years, but there is also a certain tradition that a meeting is held when there is a change in the Presidency of the United States.

This event has a formal component, with the inauguration of the new NATO facilities, and then a working component which will fundamentally be given over to tackling the issues of terrorism and the contribution of the different countries to the NATO budget and its operations.

As you know, at this time Spain contributes close to 1% of its Gross Domestic Product to defence issues, and Spain has a major role in military missions: we are the second-placed European Union country in terms of involvement in NATO operations, and are also involved in European Union and United Nations missions, as well as the International Coalition against DAESH and we also contribute significantly to R&D activities.

Furthermore, we are going to continue to support NATO in the performance of its functions and to become involved in the fight against terrorism which has become, as we are all unfortunately too aware and have seen in Manchester just a few days ago, one of the most significant problems facing the people of Europe.

Hence, I believe that the fact that we are all there, working together for the defence of our liberties and rights, is something very positive for the interests of everyone.

Q.- Mr President of the Government, I don't know whether you have had the opportunity to speak with the new General Secretary of the PSOE [Spanish Socialist Workers' Party], Mr Sánchez, to perhaps address, among other issues, State affairs, such as this commitment of 2% of GDP to defence investments, which Spain has committed to with its allies, or the challenge posed by the Regional Government of Catalonia.

President of the Government.- No. I hope to have the chance to speak with him. I haven't done so yet, but there are most definitely some issues on which the agreement of the two largest parties in Spain would be key.

You mentioned two issues, one of which is defence. All the military operations we are taking part in have been previously authorised by Parliament.

It is also very important that, in relation to the pro-independence challenge that some people have proposed in Catalonia, the PSOE, the People's Party and the largest possible number of other political forces align themselves on the side of common sense and of the majority of the Spanish people, which is in the defence of national unity, national sovereignty, the law and the Spanish Constitution. Fortunately, we are a democracy and we are a civilised country, and no leader, whatever he may think, can be above the law and ignore decisions that correspond to the people of Spain as a whole.

Hence, I hope that on these issues, and also on foreign policy, as has happened in recent times in which we have also agreed on certain other issues, we will be able to do this in the future. That is obviously my intention and it has been so since the results of the elections back in 2015, but there are some things that don't just depend on me. At any event, I, as President of the Government, will assume, whether we come to an understanding or not, my own responsibilities. And I believe it would be good to act with common sense.

Q.- Following your letter of response to Mr Puigdemont, can you guarantee that people will not resort to the ballot box as they did in Catalonia on 9 November? Are you prepared to activate Article 155 of the Constitution?

President of the Government.- I am not going to get ahead of events or announce problems that no-one will like. What I can say to the Spanish people is that no-one is going to unilaterally liquidate the Spanish Constitution, national unity and national sovereignty. Among other things, that is my obligation as the President of the Government, aside from what I may think.

What they are proposing to us, not to me, but rather what they are proposing to all of us that make up the National Parliament and all the people of Spain, is that someone has decided to hold a referendum on the independence of Catalonia and that if we don't accept their claim, then they will bring out the law we have seen published in a national daily newspaper last Monday; a law that, moreover, they are seeking to pass in 24 hours, because that it what they have conveyed to the people of Spain and that is the amendment that has been made in the Regional Parliament of Catalonia.

In just one day an amendment has been made in the Regional Parliament of Catalonia in order to create- hence, without any possibility for those who think otherwise - a Constitution, liquidate the unity of a State and its national sovereignty. You will appreciate that I would be a bad President of the Government if I allowed this to happen and you can be totally and utterly sure that I am not going to allow this, and I hope that a little common sense can reach those places where it should never have been lost in the first place.

Thank you very much.