Pedro Sánchez underlines importance of coordination between Spain and Italy to set European Recovery Fund in motion as soon as possible

Rome (Italy)

During their meeting at the headquarters of the Italian Government, at Chigi Palace, Pedro Sánchez and Giuseppe Conte highlighted the great harmony that exists between the two countries at a European level, as was seen in July during the Fund negotiations in Brussels.

Spain and Italy share concerns and focuses because, pointed out the President of the Government, "by working together we can make our societies stronger and fairer, and we can also make the European Union stronger".

After the meeting between the two leaders, Pedro Sánchez highlighted that we are at a key moment and Spain and Italy "share a diagnosis of the crisis caused by the pandemic and we have a observed a need to set in motion our national recovery plans as soon as possible, which show noteworthy similarities". The President of the Government added that he considers it essential for the EU-27 to urgently implement the Recovery Plan and the Multiannual Financial Framework to start to overcome the consequences of the pandemic as soon as possible.

Spain and Italy have a great economic potential and hold one of the top positions in their reciprocal trade relations in such sectors as the automotive industry, fuels and lubricants, clothing, olive oil, raw materials and semi-manufactured plastic goods. Other areas of common interest are chemical products, equipment, automotive components and accessories and pharmachemistry.

One of the points shared by the two countries is excellence in tourism, which has turned them into world leaders in the sector. In this regard, Spain advocates the adoption by the EU of coordinated protocols on tourism measures, with safe corridors and a preference for testing at origin and destination, rather than quarantines, for example. Testing allows safe travel both for travellers and for the region receiving the traveller.

Spain and Italy have projects with a European dimension which will be incorporated into their respective Recovery Plan "in which our governments, together with companies from both countries, can work together", highlighted the President of the Government. Both countries share interests in such fields as hydrogen, batteries, artificial intelligence and micro-processors, among others.

During his meeting with Giuseppe Conte, Pedro Sánchez stated that the pandemic has shown that those transformations that were previously urgent are now imperative. The Government of Spain considers that these areas, which structure the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, are the ecological transition, the digitalisation of the economy, social and territorial cohesion and equality between men and women. All of these areas seek to recover growth, foster the incorporation of companies and speed up the creation of sustainable and sound jobs without leaving anyone behind.

Bilateral relations between Spain and Italy

The fluid relations between the two countries were clearly seen this year by the visit made by Giuseppe Conte to Spain in July. In this regard, on 25 November, Spain will host the Bilateral Spain-Italy Summit which, for Pedro Sánchez, will be a good opportunity to observe this interest in taking one more step in our bilateral relations, raising these to a level of proximity that our citizens already feel. "It shouldn't be possible for two natural allies and friends like Spain and Italy not to take full advantage of their joint potential. This must change and we will do this", highlighted the President of the Government.

"We must try and ensure this same harmony to implement the Recovery Fund as soon as possible; to boost the principles of solidarity, responsibility and humanity in the migratory debate, and to develop a Southern Neighbourhood Policy that confirms the Mediterranean Sea as a space of peace, dialogue and agreement", stated Pedro Sánchez.

Pedro Sánchez took part, together with Giuseppe Conte at the closing event of the 17th edition of the Italy-Spain Forum for Dialogue, a meeting point that has gathered together representatives from the world of politics, academia, business, economics and communications from the two countries for more than two decades to analyse issues of international current affairs. This year, the debates focused on the Next Generation EU - the key Recovery Fund tool agree on in July.

Non official translation