Pedro Sánchez calls for a firm and united European response to the war in Iran that guarantees EU priorities and moves away from warmongering logic

The president has called for a deepening of the energy transition, accelerating electrification and decarbonisation, and has highlighted that Spain is at the forefront of energy in Europe thanks to the Government's commitment to the deployment of renewables over the years.

Brussels (Belgium)

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.

Given the current international context, which President Sánchez described as "crucial for Europe," he urged the defence of the multilateral system, based on rules and international law. He also highlighted Spain's position, which from the outset has condemned the war in Iran-an intervention "that we do not support and consider illegal," he emphasised-and called for a firm and united response from the Council focused on defending the EU's real priorities and moving away from warmongering logic.

With regard to the economic impact of the war in Iran and the immediate effects already being felt by the population, Pedro Sánchez defended the need to adopt temporary support measures for the sectors and groups most affected.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, talks with the German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, at the start of the European Council meeting| Pool UE

In addition to these temporary measures, President Sánchez called for a European response that deepens the energy transition, accelerating electrification and decarbonisation. Furthermore, he defended the design of the ETS (European Emissions Trading System) as a central instrument of European climate policy, which has proven its effectiveness since its adoption. Pedro Sánchez has positioned Spain as a leading energy model in Europe thanks to the government's commitment to deploying renewable energy over the past eight years, which "is resulting in our citizens, our industries, our businesses, our workers, and our homes experiencing less of an impact from gas prices."

President Sánchez also advocated for a more ambitious and coherent Multiannual Financial Framework that promotes strategic European priorities such as competitiveness, innovation, the green and digital transitions, and security, using own resources.

The meeting also addressed strengthening the competitiveness of the European economy. In this regard, Spain rejects an approach based on deregulation or the dismantling of climate policies. The President of the Government of Spain conveyed this position, noting that Spain welcomes initiatives such as "One Europe, One Market" and the new "Europe Inc." regime for European companies, which will allow for the deepening of the internal market. At the same time, he advocated for strengthening the European social model, environmental aspects, and social and territorial cohesion as part of the competitiveness debate. He also reiterated the need to relaunch the Capital Markets Union, now called the Savings and Investment Union, to address the continent's financial fragmentation.

European leaders during one of the Council's working sessions| Pool UE

Along these lines, at the Euro Summit held within the framework of the European Council, alongside ECB President Christine Lagarde, President Sánchez defended a greater international role for the Euro and the strategic priority of advancing the digital Euro to strengthen European financial sovereignty.

The 27 member states held a meeting with the Secretary-General of the United Nations, António Guterres. During this meeting, Pedro Sánchez emphasised the need to strengthen multilateralism.

In these times of concern and turbulence, the President of the Government of Spain considered it most important that political leaders, and governments, uphold the principles and values that have framed decades of peace and prosperity.

The Council also held a videoconference meeting with the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, to discuss the situation in the country. President Sánchez reiterated that Spain will continue to insist on its established strategy of supporting Ukraine and putting pressure on Russia, and highlighted the Ukrainian people's struggle for freedom and international law on their path toward the European project. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez expressed his view that "Ukraine must be part of the European Union."

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