"The partnership opportunities" between Spain and Brazil should be harnessed, says Mariano Rajoy

Hilton Hotel, Sao Paulo (Brazil)

Mariano Rajoy believes that the bilateral partnership opportunities between Spain and Brazil are "very broad" and highlighted the importance of working together because "we will be able to defend ourselves better" in both Latin America and "regarding the major global issues such as climate change, migration phenomena, the fight against international terrorism and the issues included on the United Nations agenda".

By way of example, the President of the Government mentioned "the path set by the universities that have reached partnership agreements between one another" and the investments "in key sectors with a strong future". In this regard, Mariano Rajoy hopes that the number of large Brazilian companies that are starting to invest in Spain will "grow on a daily basis".

At the end of his speech, Mariano Rajoy recalled the five years of recession experienced by the Spanish economy and compared them against the growth data posted in the last three years. He acknowledged that "we were forced to implement some tough reforms", but that "Spain is now in an infinitely better position than it was five years ago".

In this regard, the President of the Government stated that, "as is generally the case in any walk of life, things don't just happen" but rather "efforts are required, one needs to be serious and think about the medium and long term".

Mariano Rajoy went on to say that he is following "what happens in Brazil very closely" and encouraged those attending the forum "to keep moving forward" even though they may be criticised.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso receives José de Anchieta Award

Pool Moncloa/Diego CrespoThe President of the Government of Spain presented the 1st José de Anchieta Award from the Spain-Brazil Council Foundation to the former President of Brazil, Fernando Henrique Cardoso. The award bears the name of the Jesuit priest from the Canary Islands who was also known as "the Apostle of Brazil".

After congratulating the recipient, Mariano Rajoy said that "if the goal of this award is to recognise the work of someone who has worked constantly and continuously on bringing our countries closer together, it would be very difficult to find a more suitable candidate".