Pedro Sánchez defends a more influential Europe, with ambitious budgets, open to the world and faithful to its social model

Brussels (Belgium)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the press conference following the European Council meeting (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo y Pool UE)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has taken part in the European Council meeting, in which the Heads of State and Government of the 27 Member States, together with the President of the European Council and the President of the European Commission, have discussed key issues for the future of the Union. President Sánchez defended the need to act with unity, coherence and determination to strengthen the European project in a complex international context.

One of the central issues of the Council was the financing of Ukraine. The president of the Government of Spain has reported on the agreement reached by the EU-27 that the European Union will urgently and immediately provide a loan of 90 billion euros for the next two years, financed by joint debt and guaranteed by the European budget. In this context, Pedro Sánchez stressed that, in addition to this urgent mechanism, the Council approved a few days ago the historic decision to permanently freeze Russian assets, and that the implementation of this repair loan will be pursued on its basis.

The president of the Government of Spain also held a meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, within the framework of the Council, to whom he reiterated the commitment of Spain and the European Union to continue supporting Ukraine financially, "both for moral reasons and because there is an international legality that supports this decision".

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during the meeting they held in Brussels | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The 27 also discussed the Multiannual Financial Framework, the European Union's budget for the period 2028-2034. The president of the Government of Spain has defended ambitious European budgets, which should reach 2% of the GDP of the Member States, and has highlighted their direct impact on the interests of citizens. For this reason, he insisted on providing the Union with the necessary resources to develop European public goods, promote innovation, lead the green and digital transitions, strengthen social and territorial cohesion, and the social pillar with housing policy.

The economy and competitiveness was another issue addressed by the leaders. Pedro Sánchez has defended the importance of the Trade Agreement between the European Union and Mercosur, which will create the largest free trade area in the world, as a vehicle for prosperity and economic growth. In this context, he called on the Member States to "think about Europe, to commit to an open Europe, to the opportunity offered to companies, especially small and medium-sized companies".

President Sánchez defended the maintenance of the European Green Deal, a central element of European competitiveness, and called for continued leadership in the fight against climate change.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, talks with other European leaders during one of the Council's working sessions | Pool UE

He also stressed that, at Spain's initiative, the Council conclusions include the promotion of the New Pact for the Mediterranean and the creation of a Strategy for an Atlantic Macroregion. This initiative promoted by Spain, France, Portugal and Ireland will reinforce greater integration of the Atlantic seaboard and generate financial synergies to improve, among other things, infrastructure, connectivity and communications.

On Palestine, Pedro Sánchez claimed that the European Union must play an active role in supporting peace and the participation of the Palestinian Authority in the process. He also condemned the expansion of illegal settlements in the West Bank and called for humanitarian aid to enter quickly and in quantity.

Finally, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the debate held in the Council at Spain's request on the importance of combating disinformation and the influence of techno-oligarchs on democratic processes. In this context, he argued that "European digital sovereignty is not to be touched", and urged Europe's sovereign powers being asserted to hold platforms accountable and ensure safe spaces for the flow of information.

Non official translation