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Visit to Spain Preliminary statement made by M. Nicolas SARKOZY, President of the Republic, at his joint press briefing with Mr Jose Luis ZAPATERO, Prime minister of Spain, following their meeting - excerpts -

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Madrid, 31 May 2007

EU

I'd like to say things very simply and very briefly. What happened during our working lunch and meeting is, in my view, very important. A country which voted "yes" and a country which voted "no" today share the same analysis and same will. What analysis and what will?

Firstly, we both think that Europe must move forward, that it can't stay immobile.

Secondly, that we have to move fast, that Europe has already wasted too much time and thirdly that there needs to be a new treaty - and moreover we are extremely close on its content - to get things moving again. I'd like to say what a crucial role Spain has to play in Europe. Spain, thanks to the work of the Spaniards, has become a grandee of Europe. I have come with Bernard Kouchner, Michèle Alliot-Marie, and Jean-Pierre Jouyet to express France's determination to work hand in hand with Spain. I am convinced that today, under the German presidency, we can get things moving again and I thank Mr Zapatero for what he said on the need to move forward and do so fast.

MEDITERRANEAN UNION

Secondly, the Mediterranean Union. This is a matter which also concerns Foreign Minister Moratinos. We have - I think one can say Mr Zapatero - the same analysis. We have to do in the Mediterranean what the Europeans had the wisdom to do, 60 years ago, for Europe. So we have decided to propose, with our Italian friends, a meeting of the eight European countries - eight because there's Slovenia which will soon have the European Union presidency - to see how we can propose a common initiative to the southern Mediterranean countries. Spain and France will work hand in hand, of course, with Italy and, of course, with our other partners. (···)

TERRORISM

Of course, on terrorism, which I discussed with Mr Rubalcaba [Interior Minister], and I want to express to him again my friendship for him, it goes without saying that the Spanish democracy can count on the French democracy's total and resolute support. Terrorists won't succeed in putting the thinnest cigarette paper between our two democracies and, faced with the terrorist organizations, Spain can count on France's support. And believe me these aren't empty words, it's a deep commitment; I'm thinking of the extremely high price Spain has been paying for this terrorism for years and years. Spain is the EU country most severely hit by bloody terrorism.

And so I want to express again to Mr Zapatero my confidence, my friendship, my support and France's desire to work with him and his team.

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