Pedro Sánchez stresses that European Union will come out of crisis stronger

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

Pedro Sánchez took part in the Berlin Foreign Policy Forum- an event organised by the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Germany and the Körber-Stiftung Foundation, with the slogan "How can the crisis be turned into an opportunity? Europe in a post-pandemic world order". In his speech, The President of the Government spoke about what is needed to keep the European project alive faced with the profound crisis it has been going through in recent months as a result of the pandemic, and about what must be done to enhance the EU's role in the world.

The President of the Government underlined that thousands of people are suffering from a serious economic crisis triggered by the pandemic and that European citizens "must feel it is worthwhile belonging to the European Union". "We must show that what has always been said is true - that Europe, the EU, grows in adversity and tends to come out of all crises stronger. That is what we must also achieve this time", highlighted Pedro Sánchez.

This forum, which the President of the Government took part in by video-conference and as guest of honour, includes participants from all around the world involved in such areas as politics and government, groups of experts, civil society and the media who follow the event and take part in the debate.

Pedro Sánchez indicated that in order to keep the European project alive and strengthen its role in the world, the EU must become more digital and greener; enjoy greater territorial and social cohesion; move towards real gender equality; strengthen its strategic autonomy; support multilateralism, and progress towards greater economic and monetary integration. The President of the Government also stated that the EU must address the migratory phenomenon with solidarity, humanity and responsibility, keep its doors open to potential enlargements and care for its foreign policy.

The President of the Government recalled the "historic agreement" reached by the EU-27 in July to create the "Next Generation EU". In this regard, Pedro Sánchez specified that, "to come out of this crisis, we need a stronger Europe that offers our children a better life in a more sustainable world. In this global crisis, Europe needs to become an increasingly more attractive project and strengthen its role; and this can only be done by heading up global processes, such as multilateralism and the 2030 Agenda".

Non official translation