"Conserving our heritage is an investment and is a pledge for the future", says Mariano Rajoy

Cathedral, Santiago de Compostela

Mariano Rajoy highlighted that the protocol is "as important an event as it is positive", and praised the coordination work between public administration services, including the ecclesiastical authorities. He also explained that "the government wishes to show its sense of responsibility towards a monument complex which is undoubtedly one of the greatest treasures not only of Galicia, but of the Spanish nation and the European continent".

According to Mariano Rajoy, conserving historic-artistic heritage is a duty beholden on us for future generations to come. This duty takes on particular importance in Santiago de Compostela, he said, from which "not only the people of Galicia and the rest of Spain will benefit", but also all those pilgrims that choose to walk to the capital of Galicia along St James's Way.

Universal vocation of Santiago

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government also spoke of the "universal vocation of Santiago". The capital of Galicia is a place that "confirms our status as Galicians and Spaniards". He added that we cannot forget that for centuries, Santiago "also contributed to bringing about this common home that is Europe".

At the end of his speech, Mariano Rajoy pointed out that "by contributing to the conservation of Santiago and its cathedral, we are paying tribute to these Spanish and European ideals. And, above all, he asserted their relevance and value for both the present and the future".