Pedro Sánchez: "Spain has put forward a budget that is ambitious enough to tackle our shared challenges"

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, took part in the European Council meeting at which the 27 Member States addressed issues of the utmost importance for the future of the European Union, such as European security and defence, rising energy prices as a result of the war in the Middle East, the forthcoming European budget and immigration.

Speaking after the meeting, the president referred to the impact of the "illegal and unnecessary" war in the Middle East on citizens' pockets. "The war in Iran has already cost us more than 100 billion euros, and we haven't even been at war for a year. 100 billion euros. That is the bill. To put that into perspective: it is almost double the total amount the European Union allocates each year to the Common Agricultural Policy", he said.

In light of this situation, he emphasised the importance of stepping up diplomatic efforts to achieve peace and stability in the Middle East, as well as the need to accelerate the energy transition and decarbonisation.

With regard to the negotiations on the multiannual financial framework, Pedro Sánchez called for "a budget that is sufficiently ambitious" to tackle common challenges. In this regard, he stated that, for Spain, the Irish Presidency's proposal is insufficient, as it would fall far short of the current multiannual financial framework and be a long way from what Europe and its citizens need. "How can we take a step backwards when what Europe needs is to keep moving forward with budgets that are sufficiently ambitious?", asked the president.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky | Pool UE

He also pointed out that Spain will be a net contributor under the next budgetary framework, thanks to the strong performance of its economy, and emphasised the need for sufficient resources to strengthen competitiveness, innovation, strategic autonomy and housing policy, "which is also one of the key issues not only for Spanish society, but also for European society".

Finally, European leaders also held a strategic debate on migration. Pedro Sánchez highlighted the European Union's solidarity with Ceuta, as well as the recognition, in the conclusions of this Summit, of the two autonomous cities as European borders in Africa.

"Europe is more present today in Ceuta and Melilla than it has ever been. Because both cities are part of Europe", said the president, who also emphasised the importance of this recognition from a political point of view.

Non official translation