Mariano Rajoy pleased by approval of agreements on visa exemption between EU and Colombia and Peru

Brussels (Belgium)

In statements to the press following a meeting that gathered 28 European Union countries and 33 Ibero-American states in Brussels, Mariano Rajoy highlighted the importance of those relations in a world where there are "increasingly fewer borders" and "more connections between countries". For Spain, he added, this is a "priority" issue because among other reasons, Spain is the second-largest investor in Latin America.

"But our goal was not only to discuss matters from a commercial or economic point of view", said Mariano Rajoy, who said he was "very pleased" by the approval at the summit of agreements between the EU and Colombia and Peru for all citizens from those two countries "to come here without the need for a visa". The President of the Government recalled that efforts have been made on this commitment since summer 2013 and added that "the objective now is to also extend this possibility to all citizens of Ecuador".

Bilateral meetings

Pool MoncloaThe President of the Government also discussed the series of bilateral meetings he attended during the course of the summit. On Wednesday he met with the President of Honduras, Juan Orlando Hernández, and he attended meetings on Thursday with the British Prime Minister, David Cameron, the President of the European Council, Donald Tusk, the Prime Minister of Jamaica, Portia Simpson-Miller, and the Prime Minister of Poland, Ewa Kopacz.

Immigration and the situation in Greece were the main focus of these meetings, explained Mariano Rajoy.

In his opinion, there is a need for a "global immigration policy" and "decisive and clear action to improve quality of life and well-being and build strong institutions" in African countries. As regards Greece, he reiterated that "everyone, including the Government of Spain, wants Greece to remain in the Euro" and that the EU will show solidarity with Greece, "but we are also asking for responsibility and decisions to be taken that can help Greece begin to see economic growth and job creation".

As regards the potential referendum being promoted by David Cameron on whether the United Kingdom should remain part of the European Union, Mariano Rajoy told the British Prime Minister that he would like to see the UK remain in the EU and that Spain will maintain a "constructive" stance in this regard.

Also regarding international affairs, the President of the Government said that his position on the situation in Venezuela will always be that the future of Venezuela "lies in dialogue, democracy, freedom and respect for the law".

Changes in government

Consejo EuropeoAs regards the changes in government announced for this month, Mariano Rajoy stressed that "policies will not change" as "the objective must be - and I will not be distracted from this - to maintain the economic recovery, for Spain to continue growing and, above all, to continue creating jobs".

The President of the Government recalled that the number of people registered with the Spanish Social Security system rose by 175,000 in April and by over 200,000 in May, "but there are still many people who are unable to find a job" meaning that "the goal must now be to ensure the reforms continue producing results" for what remains of this legislature.