Sánchez calls for Spanish-Italian collaboration with Draghi to make the most of the opportunities of their recovery plans

During the meeting, Sánchez and Draghi confirmed the excellent relationship between Spain and Italy, and discussed bilateral relations, the Recovery Funds, and issues on the European agenda: Southern Neighbourhood, migration, vaccines, COVID-EU Digital Certificate, and the G20. This meeting marks the Italian prime minister's first bilateral trip to a European country since taking office in February.

The President of the Government said: "Italy is one of the three countries neighbouring Spain specifically identified in our Recovery Plan. Our objective in this regard is very clear: to increase the number of projects of special interest to both countries, to explore the integration of value chains and to strengthen the internal market.

Sánchez and Draghi, in addition to the bilateral meeting, shared an intense economic that included the intervention of both at the Cercle d'Economia, and at the 18th Spain-Italy Dialogue Forum. The Forum - a driving force in the relationship between the two countries - included businesspeople, economists, academics and civil society, and has been held since 1999.

Spain Can: Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan

Spain and Italy - two strategic allies with many similarities and challenges - maintain a close cooperative relationship. Sanchez said: "We are the third and fourth largest economies in the European Union and account for 25% of the population and GDP of the Eurozone. That is the real weight that our two countries have when we work hand in hand, and it is a strength that we always put at the service of Europe's progress. In 2020, Spain and Italy defended the need for a European response to the crisis resulting from the pandemic, which led to the approval of the European Recovery Fund.

The European Commission approved the Spanish plan this week through which our country will receive 69.5 billion euros in direct transfers, which can be extended with loans up to a total of more than 140 billion euros until 2026, if necessary. "We have the opportunity to build a fairer and more inclusive economic model, in which the value of public services is strengthened and social cohesion and gender equality are reclaimed. Now we have to seize that opportunity," Sanchez detailed.

During the meeting, Sánchez stressed Spain's interest in exploring collaboration projects with Italy on shared interests in their respective plans. Spain Can highlights the strong ties between the two countries and establishes a favourable framework for collaboration on issues such as green hydrogen and digital transformation (connectivity, AI and digitalisation of sectors such as hospitality, tourism and fashion); and industrial cooperation through Important Projects of Common European Interest.

European Agenda: Migration, Southern Neighbourhood, Vaccines, Digital Certificate and G20

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Sánchez stressed the importance of Spain and Italy continuing to work together on issues of shared interest. Both countries expressed their interest in boosting the EU's relationship with their Southern Neighbourhood in 2020. This "non-paper" includes 10 areas of work and signals the confidence of both countries that the strengthening of these relations will bring stability and economic dynamism to the 27 Member States, as well as to the southern partner countries.

In the same year they agreed, together with Greece and Malta, to another "non-paper" on the European Commission's new Migration and Asylum Pact. The text points out that the pact is a constructive starting point, and calls for a better balance between solidarity and the sharing of responsibilities. In addition, it addresses the need to find secure migration channels and asylum coordination that reduce irregular flows and contribute to orderly management, with a positive impact on countries of origin, transit and destination.

The president and prime minister discussed the evolution of the pandemic. Sánchez stressed the need for universal access to vaccines, as evidenced by the fact that Spain has promoted and collaborates with numerous international initiatives and will donate 22.5 million vaccines and 50 million euros to this issue. Both countries have also supported the COVID-EU Digital Certificate to ensure secure mobility within Europe.

Regarding the G20, Sánchez showed Draghi the Government of Spain's interest in collaborating with Italy, which holds the rotating presidency of this international organisation in 2021. In this regard, both leaders expressed their willingness to collaborate on international taxation, climate change and global health. Sánchez concluded his speech at the Forum by stressing the need "not to leave those who have suffered the worst consequences of the pandemic behind", with a special focus on young people, and pointing out that now is the time to "take this step forward together" and raise the Spanish-Italian potential to its maximum expression".

Non official translation