The Government of Spain adopts the Agreements of the island of La Palma with the regional governments to give a united response to the impact of the war in Ukraine

Los Llanos de Aridane, La Palma (Canary Islands)

The 26th Conference of Presidents, chaired this Sunday by Pedro Sánchez on the island of La Palma, has adopted, with the agreement of all regional governments and cities, the Agreements of the island of La Palma to give a united response to the impact of the war in Ukraine following the military aggression of the Russian Federation.

"Today Spain comes out of this Conference of Presidents stronger because we are more united," stressed the Government Spokesperson and Minister for Territorial Policy, Isabel Rodríguez, in reference to the unity and unanimous consensus of all administrations to respond to the impact of the war in Ukraine.

The meeting of the president of the Government of Spain with all the regional leaders agreed to strengthen the cooperation mechanisms between the Executive and the regional governments around four main axes: humanitarian aid and reception of refugees, response to the rise in energy prices, deployment of European funds and articulation of the National Response Plan to the consequences of the war in Ukraine, with the aim of reinforcing and guaranteeing institutional cooperation to respond to the socio-economic consequences of the Russian invasion.

The Conference of Presidents thus expressed its unity, in support of the Executive, against the invasion of Ukraine and has taken the first step towards a comprehensive crisis response plan, to be implemented through the cooperation bodies. In this respect, the minister spokesperson stressed that the Government of Spain practices "co-governance out of conviction".

Unity response with specific measures

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la BellacasaThe 26th Conference of Presidents agreed to strengthen cooperation between all administrations to articulate the National Response Plan to the consequences of this war, a dynamic plan open to dialogue with social agents, parliamentary groups and the regional governments.

The Government reaffirmed Spain's strong and unanimous condemnation of Russia's aggression, as well as its unequivocal support for Ukraine. The Government has also asked for institutional cooperation in humanitarian aid and has committed to guaranteeing economic resources to the regional governments for the reception of people affected by the war. On this issue, there are already 5,400 places available in the state system and 12,800 in the regional governments and town councils.

In the field of energy, the Government has asked for support from the regional governments for the proposal to decouple gas and electricity prices, with the aim of reducing energy dependence on Russia through gas interconnections and the promotion of green hydrogen and renewable energies.

On tax matters, the Executive has underlined the tax effort carried out with the reduction of all taxes on electricity, which means between 10 and 12 billion euros by the end of the year in tax reductions and suspensions. Furthermore, the Government has expressed its willingness to continue talking with the regional governments on this issue.

At the same time, the Conference agreed to improve the functioning of technological services and cybersecurity, as well as to strengthen cooperation and collaboration with the regional governments in this field.

Acceleration of European funds as a basis for recovery

The implementation of European funds was also one of the central themes of the 26th Conference of Presidents. The Government has agreed to reduce and accelerate the procedures and deadlines for the execution of renewable energy, energy efficiency and housing renovation projects with the regional governments.

The Executive has urged that the partisan struggle in the management of European funds be put aside and the execution the funds already allocated accelerated, with the aim of consolidating the economic recovery and continuing on the path of job creation.

Commitment to the recovery of La Palma

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Fernando CalvoThe 26th Conference of Presidents is held in addition to the Ceremony to Honour the Exemplary Nature of the People of La Palma, organised by the Government and presided over by Their Majesties the King and Queen of Spain this Saturday, 12 March, as a sign of the Executive' commitment to the recovery of the Canary Island after the volcanic emergency caused by the eruption of the Cumbre Vieja volcano.

The event was attended by His Majesty the King, Felipe VI, and the Government of Spain was represented by Vice-Presidents Nadia Calviño and Teresa Ribera and Ministers José Manuel Albares, María Jesús Montero, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, Félix Bolaños, Isabel Rodríguez, Carolina Darias and José Luis Escrivá.

Non official translation