President of the Government attends extraordinary European Council in Brussels

European Council , Brussels (Belgium)

The President of the Government stressed the importance of electing the next President of the European Council as well as the appointment of the High Representative for Foreign Policy and Security on Saturday, because as from such time Jean-Claude Juncker, the new President of the European Commission, can propose the appointments of the new commissioners for the next five years, to the European Parliament.

In this regard, he commented that the issue is to reach the "maximum consensus and agreement possible", and to do so, Spain's attitude will be constructive. The President of the Government indicated that "we would like to see one of these two posts filled by a woman and for the geographic and political criteria to also be taken into consideration":

The situation in Ukraine, whose president has been invited to take part in Saturday's meeting, and the consequences deriving therefrom are other important issues to be debated at the same time. Mariano Rajoy recalled that the position maintained by Spain on this issue is based on the need to respect the territorial integrity of Ukraine, the Constitution, the law and its national sovereignty.

Mariano Rajoy expressed Spain's concern and that of the European Union as a whole at the Russian decision to ban the import of European fruit and vegetables. In this regard, he pointed to the need for the Commission to continue acting as it has to date so that fruit and vegetable producers are not unduly prejudiced.

As regards the situation in Libya, also on the agenda for this European Council, the President of the Government recalled the meeting to be held in Spain on 17 September, which will be attended by the Foreign Affairs Ministers of seven European countries and the African Mediterranean and other bordering countries.

The President of the Government said that the situation in Iraq will probably also be discussed and at Spain's request, Ebola and its repercussions on certain countries on the African continent.

When asked about the appointment of Luis de Guindos as new President of the Eurogroup, Mariano Rajoy clarified that this issue "is not on today's agenda, firstly because it is not one of the Council's powers and secondly, because the term of office of the previous President is not yet over. At any event, Luis de Guindos can count on wide ranging support", he added.

As regards his support for the appointment of the Polish Prime Minister, Donald Tusk, as the next President of the European Council, Mariano Rajoy did not wish to announce anything prior to the meeting of the Council, but underlined that he enjoys "a very good relationship" with him.