Press conference by President of the Government after G-20 meeting

Buenos Aires (Argentina)

President of the Government.- Good afternoon. First of all I wanted to convey the commitment of the Government of Spain to the fight against AIDS on its International Day. Yesterday the Government of Spain gave a good example of this with the approval of measures related to persons suffering from the disease at the Council of Ministers. And secondly, I appear here before you to outline the main conclusions from the G-20 Summit that has taken place yesterday and today and I wish to do this, moreover, by underlining, firstly, my congratulations to the Argentinean Government for its hospitality and success, in my opinion, in holding this important summit.

In relation to the context and the main conclusions, I wish, in my first speech at a G-20 Summit, to underline the commitment of the Government of Spain, which has been explicit in each and every speech, to multilateralism - which, unfortunately, is being questioned by some - in tackling the main challenges of globalisation.

In recent days, I have personally defended the main concerns of our citizens, which are related to growth that must be inclusive, to quality jobs; to combating inequality - this is one of the leading causes of Spanish society, and I would day to say, also of global society; to the management of migratory flows; to the fights against gender gaps, and I say this in plural, which have also been addressed and are included in the G-20 Declaration; and also of course to fair international trade; to a transformation of our education system adapted to the challenges of the era of digitalisation; and finally, but no less important, of course, to climate change - the adaptation to and mitigation of climate change.

I will now move on to assess the specific results of this summit. In relation to migration the Government of Spain has, I believe, taken on a leading role in this issue, and we have managed to defeat some form of strong resistance from certain countries to include a reference to migration and refugees. As regards this issue, we have conveyed to my colleagues, to my G-20 colleagues, that we should not go back to our countries without sending out a clear message to our citizens on the management of the migratory phenomenon as an issue to be addressed at this forum, because we are talking about a global issue that requires a global response. Consequently, I am grateful to the support received for our position.

Finally, and upon a Spanish initiative, the text of the Buenos Aires Declaration includes a reference to migration, to refugees and, more importantly, we have managed to ensure that these questions will be maintained on next year's agenda under the Japanese Presidency, and that the OECD will continue to present us each year with reports on this parallel issue to our debates.

You are aware that the comprehensive management of the migratory phenomenon is one of the main priorities of this government at all forums, not only European forums but also multilateral forums - I will also attend the Global Compact at the start of December in Marrakesh - and, of course, we are going to sign this agreement on orderly and regulated global migration because we think that international cooperation must play a key role in this matter, which is why we feel it is so important to have drafted the text on this commitment today, despite the resistance we have clearly been faced with over these two days.

As regards international trade, I believe that we should send the world, above all the economic agents, a message of confidence in the multilateral trade system that has been the driver of growth, of employment, of economic development in achieving the levels of well-being and development we now enjoy and, of course, we have also advocated the reform of the World Trade Organisation in this clear message on strengthening multilateralism by the Government of Spain and on the continuation of work to resolve something as important as the excess capacity of steel, which also affects some companies in our own country.

As regards climate change, we have observed, and this was reflected in the declaration, that the differences between the US Administration and the rest of the G-20 countries still persists, but what is positive is that the declaration reaffirms the unequivocal commitment, and I would like to underline that this is an unequivocal commitment of 19 of the 20 countries, including Spain, to the full application of the Paris Agreement, which we consider to be irreversible. Spain has actively taken part in the negotiations, working closely with the rest of the G-20 countries, and of course I also want to announce that the day after tomorrow, on Monday, is when the Katowice Summit begins in Poland, the COP24, which I will attend as President of the Government of Spain to express our commitment to the fight against climate change.

Gender equality. Spain has given a boost and shown its leadership on this issue that you know is a priority for my government. We have made, I believe, some significant progress and I would like to highlight two of these steps forward in this appearance: a commitment to redouble efforts aimed at meeting the 2014 Brisbane objective which consists of reducing the wage gap by creating 100 million jobs for women by 2025 and, furthermore, we have called for and achieved a reference to the reduction in the wage gap between men and women, which is another of the fundamental priorities of this government on labour affairs.

Hence, these are the main issues contained in the declaration, but another issue that has been addressed more explicitly and under the leadership of the Argentine Presidency, and I would like to underline this because it is also in line with our goals, is the future of work, and tied into the future of work, the need to adapt our education systems, vocational training, active employment policies - which the Government of Spain is working on - and of course, also our social protection systems and the promotion of decent work given the transformations of the digital revolution that clearly affects our job market.

We have also strengthened our commitment to the application of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which, as you are aware, is also one of the main priorities of the Government of Spain, and we continue to make progress in the field of international taxation, through the G-20 and the OECD, and also in the digital arena, which you know is another of the priorities of the Government of Spain. We would have liked the G-20 to have been much more resolute in this commitment but, at any event, the line being followed is appropriate and in line with the goals of the Government of Spain.

As regards bilateral meetings, in summary, we have obviously held a meeting with President Macri of Argentina; with the President of South Africa; with the President of India; with Prime Minister Trudeau, and I also had the chance to talk with the Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund, with whom I exchanged impressions on the perspectives of the Spanish economy and the global economy.

To conclude, the members of the G-20 have tried to push on with fairer, more prosperous and more inclusive global governance, and Spain has spared no efforts at achieving this, and I think that we can be globally satisfied with the declaration that all the countries present here have signed.

Without further ado, I will take any questions.

Q.- Thank you very much, President of the Government. As you said, your first G-20 has particularly focused on immigration but, what value does anything agreed here have when in a week's time some of the countries that are here will not sign up to the Global Compact on Immigration in Marrakesh, or at least, that's what they have said? And, what value does the G-20 have in general in terms of what is also agreed on trade policy if the United States goes its own way in the end? What value does all of this have?

And I also wanted to ask you about national politics. In Spain, there are two Catalan pro-independence prisoners who have gone on hunger strike, as well as the obvious issues of respect for justice. What can politics do about this? What can you do to avoid an escalation, which is clear after this decision?

President of the Government.- I have always maintained, Carlos, in relation to the issue of Catalonia, and also to the approaches made by some of the pro-independence leaders, that we are not in favour of judicialising politics or of politicising justice, that is one of this government's maxims. We respect the independence of the judiciary, Spain is a social and democratic State under the rule of law - which I will tirelessly repeat - and hence, even though I don't share the measures and actions being proposed by the pro-independence leaders in prison at this time, what I believe it is important to underline is that they will have a fair trial and that this fair trial is thanks to the fact that we live in a social and democratic State under the rule of law and that the judiciary is independent.

In relation to the value of the G-20, I feel it has an extraordinary value, that is, at a time like the present in which some major global powers are questioning the multilateral order, in which there are increasingly fewer forums at which to meet, to talk and to make diagnoses and align objectives from the different powers - above all the most important ones - to me that shows it has an extraordinary value.

Of course, I feel that the European Union has played a constructive role, we have played - the countries that are represented here and form part of the European Union together with the Presidents of the European Council and of the European Commission - a constructive role in defending a fair trade order which rejects this regression towards a form of protectionism that is not good for the global economy and which is definitely not good for the European economy. We have once again reaffirmed our commitment to the Paris Agreement, we have reaffirmed our commitment to gender equality and to the need to ensure inclusive growth in which 50% of the population is included, which means women, and hence, I believe that regardless of the ups and downs, regardless of the political difficulties that no-one has failed to notice - you have been listing them - I believe that it is important to underline - let's say - the validity and importance of multilateral forums like this.

Q.- Good afternoon, President of the Government. I would like to ask you how this situation of the pro-independence leaders on a hunger strike is going to affect your government's actions on Catalonia, and if you foresee that this new situation could complicate your government's action to the point that the many months before the upcoming elections you spoke about in Cuba may be reduced to just a few months.

And secondly, do you rule out a meeting the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia on 21 December in Barcelona?

President of the Government.- As regards your first question, I will answer it with just one word: "no".

As regards your second question, there are various certainties regarding 21 December. The first is that the Government of Spain will keep its word and hold a Council of Ministers meeting in Barcelona. The other certainty is that it will be an important Council of Ministers which will approve significant measures for Catalan society. And my third point is a request rather than a certainty. I believe it is clear that differences exist between the President of the Regional Government of Catalonia and the President of the Government in relation to the political solution to the crisis in Catalonia; what we cannot lose are our manners.

Q.- Good afternoon, President of the Government, thank you very much. As regards immigration, the leadership role you have maintained during this summit - as you mentioned - at this very moment there is a fishing vessel carrying the Spanish flag with 12 immigrants on-board which is drifting in the seas with no safe port to sail for. The President of the Regional Government of Valencia has offered to give them a safe port. Why is it that what was then valid for the 'Aquarius' is no longer valid for this fishing vessel? Or is it? What solution can the government offer?

President of the Government.- There was no safe port before, a close port, but now there is, and hence, I would just like to remind you of a couple of things. The first is that everyone, and when I say everyone I not only mean the Government of Spain, I also mean our citizens and private vessels, are all subject to international law and EU law, and international law and EU law are clear on the matter. In cases like the one you are quoting here, what must be done is to head to a close port, the closest safe port, and this possibility now exists; hence, and I would remind you that we are all subject to EU law and international law, I would also remind the skipper of the vessel you have just referred to of this.

Q.- Good afternoon, President of the Government. Elections will be held tomorrow in Andalusia. I wanted to know what outcome you expect from these elections, and whether or not these should be interpreted at a national level as a preview of the general elections, and whether you are concerned by the arrival of the far right in a regional parliament.

And on another note, coming back to the G-20, did you feel uncomfortable by the presence of the Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia? And I was wondering whether you took the opportunity of these two days to address him and ask him for explanations about the death of the journalist, the murder of the journalist Khashoggi. Thank you.

President of the Government.- As regards your second question, I believe that a communiqué was put out by the European Union countries present here calling for a trial and an international investigation with all due guarantees, that is impartial, to find out exactly what happened and, above all, to ensure that the alleged offenders that are involved are tried in the Khashoggi case. That is clear and that is the position agreed by the different countries present here that are members of the European Union.

Secondly, am I concerned about the potential emergence of the far right tomorrow in the Regional Parliament of Andalusia? I am concerned, above all, that there are two political parties that are increasingly leaning towards an extremist discourse, an increasingly exclusionary discourse, a discourse that does not represent the Spanish centre right by any means.

Aside from that, what do I hope from the elections in Andalusia? As President of the Government, in a day of reflection, I obviously put the party colours to one side. It is clear who I would like to see win and win convincingly. But, what would I call for? First, a huge turnout from the people of Andalusia and, secondly, not to see a stalemate on 3 December; for the will of the people of Andalusia to be respected and to allow whoever may win tomorrow's elections to govern.

Q.- How are you? Good afternoon, President of the Government. In a few days' time, the classic Argentinean football match between Boca and River will be disputed in Spain, in the Bernabéu Stadium. I wanted to ask you, firstly, if you plan to attend and, secondly, how can Spain guarantee security and avoid a repeat of the scenes of violence that took place here in Argentina.

And secondly, I wanted to come back to the issue of Catalonia. You have said that this situation, of prisoners on hunger strike will not influence or affect the government's policy as regards the Regional Government of Catalonia, but, are you concerned by this situation, this circumstance? Thank you.

President of the Government.- If this is true then it is clear that it is not good news, but the reasons that justify this action are not true - they will have a fair trial.

And as regards your first question, what I will say is that, firstly, for Spain it is an honour to host this classic match - or a super-classic as it is described here in Argentina - between Boca Juniors and River Plate. Secondly, Spain will always err on the side of sport and co-existence. And thirdly, we are going to deploy the full force of our security apparatus, as always happens at major sporting events - it is not the first time they have been held in Madrid - so that the only stars are football, the footballers and the great people of Argentina who, I am convinced, will enjoy a great final.

Q.- Will you go to the game?

President of the Government.- I haven't seen my agenda for that day but, if I can, of course I will go, I don't want to miss it. For once that I will be in Madrid, of course I will go if I can.

Thank you very much.

(Transcript edited by the State Secretariat for Communication)

Non official translation