Pedro Sánchez has announced that he has asked the European Commission for Mallorca to host the European fire-fighting centre for the western Mediterranean

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, travelled to Mallorca on Wednesday, where he held his traditional summer office with His Majesty the King, Felipe VI, at the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, in Palma. Speaking to the media after the meeting, and in relation to the forest fires, Sánchez announced that he had written a letter to the president of the European Commission proposing that Mallorca host the new European fire-fighting centre for the western Mediterranean. The announcement, which the head of the Executive has shared with the Head of State and the president of the Balearic Islands, involves setting up this hub at Son Sant Joan air base and would complement the work carried out in Cyprus by the other fire-fighting centre planned by Brussels for the eastern Mediterranean.

Pool Casa Real

According to Pedro Sánchez, the situation regarding the fires was the main topic of discussion during the meeting with the monarch. The head of the Executive has used this press conference to once again urge the public to take every possible precaution in light of the critical situation we are currently facing "as a result of the high temperatures" caused by the new heatwave, and to keep themselves informed through reliable media sources and official channels. The president has stated that there are ten forest fires raging across Spain, the latest of which broke out in Zamora, where a lockdown has had to be imposed on several towns. "Fortunately, in other areas, such as Ávila or the Community of Madrid, rehousing is already taking place and restrictions are being lifted in some towns," he explained.

Furthermore, Pedro Sánchez has stated that he also discussed the country's economic situation with the King, noting that economic growth is leading to strong job creation, as reflected in the latest Labour Force Survey (LFS). In this regard, the president referred to his press conference yesterday at Moncloa Palace, in which he highlighted the country's job creation figures "against a very complex international backdrop" that is forcing many countries - but not Spain - to revise their economic forecasts downwards. Specifically, he referred to the jobs created in "high value-added sectors, which shows that the production model is changing, without, of course, detracting from sectors that are very important, such as tourism".

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Finally, the meeting addressed the international situation - including the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East - as well as developments in Latin America, where Peru's new president has just taken office, a ceremony attended by His Majesty the King. In this regard, Sánchez pointed out that Madrid will host the Ibero-American Summit this coming November, "where we hope to welcome many leaders from the region".

A meeting with Marga Prohens

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Prior to his meeting with the monarch, the president held talks with the President of the Balearic Islands, Marga Prohens, at the Presidency's offices, the Consolat de Mar, in Palma. Following this meeting, Pedro Sánchez highlighted that the two leaders had discussed the migration situation, regional funding and housing, amongst other issues.

Non official translation