Statement by President of the Government following first session of European Council

Brussels

President of the Government.- Good evening. I will give you a brief summary. The economic issue is closed now. As you know, in essence, the most important issue we have ahead of us is to present the Stability Plan for the next year and the National Reform Plan by 30 April.

In principle, what has been agreed in the economic arena is to undertake an economic policy based on three pillars: fiscal consolidation, continuing with the reform process and investment. Due importance has been given to this and the Juncker Investment Plan was discussed, which already has various projects under way in various EU countries.

Secondly, progress was agreed on economic and monetary union. The upcoming European Council, which I believe is to be held in the month of June, will be almost exclusively given over to this issue based on the report issued by the five Presidents, and there will also be a report on the progress made and on what still needs to be done to continue moving towards the single market.

We have spoken about energy union, the digital single market, electricity interconnections, etc.

In relation to the most important part of today's Council meeting, there are two different issues: first, the conclusions of the Council itself, and second, the talks we will hold tomorrow with the Turkish Prime Minister, Mr Davutoglu.

As regards the conclusions, what there will fundamentally be is support for Greece. Spain will support this. Public servants will be sent, at the request of FRONTEX and ASU; we have people who are highly specialised in these matters. And great emphasis was also placed on the readmission agreements which are fundamental for an ordered, sensible and reasonable policy on immigration issues.

On the issue of Turkey, where nothing has been finalised as yet, the position I supported is as follows: first, what was agreed the other day by Parliament…, practically by, no I believe this was done unanimously; hence that was the first thing I defended. Secondly, I lent my support to the fact that any decision adopted should be in line with international law because, if not, it is clear that we cannot support the conclusions.

It is also important for us to defend the right to asylum, and that this should not be eliminated in any way whatsoever, and for there not to be any collective expulsions of people from the Greek islands to any other country.

I believe that these are, in short, the positions I have set. This will continue tomorrow. First thing in the morning, the Presidents of the Council and the Commission accompanied by the Rotating President will meet with Davutoglu. We have been called to meet at one o'clock, but first there will be various meeting and phone calls to try to reach an agreement but we don't know yet what time the meeting will finish.

Q.- Some changes have also been pencilled in to the draft agreement. Do you believe these will be enough?

President of the Government.- There are some that I believe are essential, such as all applications for asylum being processed individually, because that offers due guarantees and that meets the standards of international law. We have asked for this to be included and it has now been included in the text.

Q.- This morning, Pedro Sánchez met here with Alexis Tsipras. What do you think about him asking the Greek Prime Minister to help him convince Iglesias and thus facilitate his investiture?

President of the Government.- In reality, I can't find any words to define this in any way whatsoever. Hence, since I can't find the words to express this, I would almost prefer to say nothing. I feel that is the most prudent thing to do.

Q.- Have the doubts been cleared up regarding the legality? Did any Prime Minister express any lingering doubts on the way in?

President of the Government.- One of the things I have asked for is for everything to be done pursuant to international law and that the text should state that everything is being done pursuant to international law. At any event, tomorrow we will continue to talk and debate this issue. For the time being, we have introduced, which I believe is very positive, the clarification whereby all applications for asylum must be processed individually, which means that certain requirements and procedures must be followed, and that a final decision must be taken, which furthermore can be appealed against.

Q.- (Inaudible)

President of the Government.- We have not discussed this issue yet today, but I believe that this must play an important role.

Thank you very much.