While speaking with Javier Lambán, Pedro Sánchez confirms that Mediterranean-Cantabrian Corridor is a priority for Government of Spain

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

At the meeting, Pedro Sánchez and Javier Lambán agreed on the need to proceed with a reform of the regional financing system through the Fiscal and Financial Policy Council (Spanish acronym: CPFF), although they also highlighted the possibility for this body to study the introduction of individual reforms.

Mining basins, infrastructures and Ebro 2030

Another of the main topics discussed at the meeting was the future of mining basins in Aragon. In this regard, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, told Javier Lambán that the Ministry of Ecological Transition is working hard on an urgent action plan and preparing the "Fair Transition Strategy". The main goal is to encourage the switch by creating job opportunities and improving the competitiveness and social cohesion produced by economic greening.

In terms of the Mediterranean-Cantabrian Corridor, Pedro Sánchez said that this is still a priority for the Government of Spain, so efforts will continue to obtain European funds. He also said that the Government of Spain is preparing an integrated improvement plan for the existing Sagunto-Teruel-Zaragoza line, a plan in which 368.8 million euros will be invested until 2021, and confirmed that speed restrictions will be lifted in 2019.

President of the Government Sánchez also committed to making it easier for the Spain Pavilion from the 2008 Zaragoza Expo to be used for some of the innovation and sustainability activities associated with the Ebro 2030 initiative, something that the Regional Government of Aragon has requested.

Water, electricity connections and depopulation

Other commitments made at the meeting between the President of the Government and the President of the Regional Government of Aragon related to the financing of works included in the Water Pact and the reconstruction of channels damaged during the Ebro river flooding last spring.

Pedro Sánchez and Javier Lambán also discussed the need to increase electricity connections between the Iberian Peninsula and France. In this regard, the President of the Government committed to promoting electricity interconnection through Aragon, as proposed in the 2017 list of European Union Projects of Common Interest.

Depopulation is another of the major challenges being faced by the Autonomous Region of Aragon. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez told the President of the Regional Government of Aragon that work by the High Commissioner for the Demographic Challenge, Isaura Leal, continues at a good pace. The contributions made by the different regions (including Aragon) are currently being analysed, given that some interesting efforts have been made by them in this area. The President of the Government confirmed that depopulation will one of the criteria taken into consideration in the new regional financing system.

Finally, Pedro Sánchez and Javier Lambán agreed to reactivate the Bilateral State-Regional Government Committee in order to continue with dialogue on the issues raised at the meeting.

Non official translation