In her speech, Ms Fernández de la Vega reviewed the principal lines of the European programme. She highlighted the many objectives that Spain has proposed to achieve during these six months, but clarified that the top priority “is now, not just of all political leaders, but rather of all European citizens, to leave the global economic crisis behind as soon as possible, and to do it in such a way that the bad practices that led us to this critical situation are also left behind once and for all”.
As highlighted by the Vice-President, “Spain is already working for such an outcome so that with the collaboration and the agreement of all, economic recovery can be consolidated”. In this respect, she reported that our country is leading the design of the new strategy for Growth and Employment 2020. “A road map – she said – that is fundamental to lead the European economy in its exit from the crisis towards three goals that constitute a future clear of uncertainties: the knowledge society, the creation of quality jobs and economic and environmental sustainability”.
The Vice-President also referred to the forthcoming development of the Action Plan of the Stockholm Programme, by which it is hoped to give new drive to the European area of freedom, security and justice, “which for Spain means improving the war on terrorism, international crime, trafficking of drugs, weapons and human beings”.
She also added that further involvement in the European area means progressing with citizens rights and preparing an integral strategy on migrations. According to her, it is about “an area in which Spain is at the forefront of Europe” and “that after years of effort we have managed to rise to the level of the Union’s harmonised policy”.
Autonomous Regions
In her speech, Ms Fernández de la Vega reiterated the Government’s commitment with the regions to favour the presence and visibility of the autonomous regions in the European Presidency.
To that end, she pointed out that what the Government wants to do is to take “the worries, concerns and demands of the people of La Rioja to Europe”. In this respect, she referred to the debate that is currently taking place on the future lines for the reform of CAP, “and in those debates, and in particular as regards wine, the Spanish Presidency will continue to back an agricultural model that gives priority to quality”.
The Vice-President recalled that through European funds for the promotion of Spanish wine in other countries, between 2009 and 2010 La Rioja is receiving more than five and a half million euros for the promotion and supply of wine outside of EU countries.
She also reaffirmed the Government of Spain’s commitment to the International Centre for Research in the Spanish Language, in which the regional Government, the Ministry of Science and Innovation and the San Millán de la Cogolla Foundation are also participating.
“I want to point out to you – she explained – because much has been said about this topic and it has not always been accurate, that the Ministry of Economy and the Treasury has already released 85% of the investment budgeted by the European Union for this project, that is, more than one million two hundred thousand euros”.
Furthermore, she stressed the need for collaboration between public authorities because “therein lies democracy and there, in the confidence in the normal functioning of institutions, lies the strength of the democratic state. Because there, in the respect for the work that each one has to perform, in institutional normality, lies the key to stability and prosperity, both in Europe and in Spain”.
María Teresa Fernández de la Vega reminded everyone that this is how relations between Spain and La Rioja have to be. “Respect, collaboration and loyalty – she said – Those are the democratic tools with which progress is built, with which the commitments we acquire with citizens are pursued and fulfilled. They are values that, even though some appear not to see it, should prevail in the face of ideological differences or party interests, because they are the guarantee of a policy with a capital “P”.
