Words by President of the Government at his meeting with Spanish military contingent deployed at Ämani Air Base

Ämani Air Base, Estonia

Good afternoon to you all.

I would like to start this brief speech by thanking the lieutenant colonel for his warm welcome and kind words.

For me it is an honour, as a Spaniard and as the President of the Government, to be here with all of you and I would like, first of all, to congratulate you on the work you are performing.

Please be aware that more than 1 million Estonians are safer every time that our fighter planes patrol their sovereign air space. I am aware that this effort not only consists of the flight hours of the crews of the F-18. Behind that, there are many days spent in preparation and many days of hard work go into maintaining the aircraft and the equipment, and in operating complex surveillance and communications systems. This sacrifice made by each and every one of you is what has turned this mission into a success since our first participation back in the year 2006.

As you know, Estonia is one of the furthest NATO countries away from Spain and some people may think that it is also very distant from our national interests. I would say to you that this is not the case, and that our security interests also lie in solidarity with our allies and in meeting our international commitments. For these reasons, the fact that you are here contributes to an increasingly safer Europe and also to an increasingly safer Spain.

And I don't want to forget that it is you who constantly ensure that our country can enjoy the level of well-being and economic development that it currently has.

I would like to wish you, on behalf of all the people of Spain who support my words, which in this case I am sure means the vast majority, the very best in this remaining month and a half of work, a good end to your mission and a safe return to Spain and to your homes in Zaragoza.

Thank you very much for what you do, for the good of the people of Spain and for Europe as a whole. Thank you.