The head of the Government is in Barcelona where he has had lunch with the Board of Directors of the Economy Circle and where this afternoon, he will meet the Mayor of the city, Jordi Hereu, and the mayors of the leading municipalities in Catalonia.
At a brief press conference at the Economy Circle, the President highlighted that "if we refer to employment reforms to modify dismissal conditions, making it cheaper, easier or eliminating workers’ rights, you are aware of the Government’s position: we do not advocate it, we do not support this thesis, we are not going to agree to any initiatives”.
Changes to collective bargaining may be positive provided that there is mutual agreement between employers and employees and the social peace is not disrupted, he added.
He also maintained that "the Government’s plans have begun to pay off. This is reflected in the employment rate in May, in which 70,000 jobs were created and unemployment figures fell by 25,000 people for the first time in fourteen months. I hope this tonic will continue, although we are facing and continue to face a difficult situation".
Catalonia, driving force of the economy
According to the President, he wishes to share "the fight against the crisis and the Government’s immediate plans" with Catalan entrepreneurs.
He added that Catalonia "is a driving force of the Spanish economy" and enjoys a leadership position in the development of innovative and highly qualified companies.
In this respect, he reminded of the need to progress towards the economic model that is not so closely linked to construction but rather to innovation and technology.
As for regional funding, the President of the Government said that agreements may be reached by the middle of next month.
"It is going to be the best agreement and the best funding Catalonia has ever had" and as it will last for many years, "it is normal to take hard work deciding on it and finalizing it".
Rodríguez Zapatero took advantage of the press conference to thank the President of the United States, Barack Obama, who referred to the Alliance of Civilizations in his speech in El Cairo.
As far as the closure of the Garoña nuclear power station in Burgos is concerned, the President assured that the Government will not comment on its eventual closure until the Nuclear Security Council publishes its report that is being drafted.
