Spain promotes a coordinated European response to the war in Ukraine in the transport field

During her speech, Raquel Sánchez stressed the importance of transport as a fundamental element of support, at European level, in the face of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, and reiterated the responsibility they have, as ministers of the sector, to alleviate the serious consequences it is having on this sector, especially in terms of the increase in costs due to the price of fuel.

In this regard, the minister highlighted the Spanish National Response Plan to the economic and social consequences of the war in Ukraine, which includes specific measures for transport, such as, in the case of land transport, a reduction of 20 cents per litre in the price of fuel, direct aid of more than 450 million euros for companies and credit lines to ensure their liquidity.

The head of the Ministry of Transport, Mobility and Urban Agenda also outlined the measures that our country has taken in the maritime sphere to help those directly affected by the war. Among them, he mentioned the extension of temporary work contracts and temporary residence and work authorisations, to protect Ukrainian crew members on Spanish ships, and bonuses for ship's tax and cargo tax on lines between the mainland and our non-mainland ports, to reinforce the resilience of the sector.

European co-ordination of aid to Ukrainian refugees

In her speech to her European counterparts, Raquel Sanchez recalled that European coordination in air transport is ensuring the safety of civil aviation, and has successfully managed the transfer of refugees.

The minister also referred to rail transport, which is facilitating humanitarian passenger corridors for which Spain has already offered more than 28,000 free tickets and has deployed social and medical assistance and support mechanisms in railway terminals. She also mentioned Spain's active participation in the development of solidarity rail freight corridors.

Spain has also designated a specific unit to optimise coordination between the arrival of refugees at transport terminals and their introduction into the national reception system, through the designation of several main humanitarian hubs.

Last, the head of the Department stressed the importance of improving European coordination, so that information on the various restrictions on Russian individuals and entities is centralised, accurate and easily accessible.

Non official translation