The first step in the resumption of such a dialogue could be the resumption of negotiations on facilitation of visa regime for Russian citizens, said the Deputy of the Spanish Parliament Maria Valentina martínez ferro.
MADRID, 18 Dec –, Elena Shesternina. The EU and Russia should return to a normal dialogue, and the first step would be the resumption of negotiations on facilitation of visa regime for Russian citizens, said in an interview with the candidate of the popular party in the elections of December 20 and current member of the Spanish Parliament Maria Valentina martínez ferro (Ferro Maria Valentina Martinez).
Russia as a key player
She recalled that Spain has always supported Russia’s “excellent diplomatic relations”. “Russia is an important neighbor of the EU and a key player in the international arena, on the opinion which questions to ask when solving the numerous problems confronting the international community. We therefore consider it essential that the EU has built bridges, we must restore a strategic relationship. It is important that the EU returned to the dialogue with Russia. The main agenda of the negotiations of relations in the sphere of trade and increased contacts between citizens and civil society. In this sense, it would be a positive step to resume negotiations on facilitation and subsequent abolition of the visa regime for the citizens of this country,” said Martinez.
Thus Spain, according to the politician, insists on respect of international law and in this sense “supports the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine”.
“The decision of the Ukrainian conflict is only possible through the implementation of the Minsk agreements”, — said the candidate of the ruling party. Martínez notes that “in recent weeks there has been progress in meeting the conditions of the Minsk agreements and the situation has improved compared with what it was a few months ago.”
Part in operations in Syria
Spain currently participates together with other countries in the fight against terrorist organization DAYS (IG, is prohibited in the Russian Federation): in the framework of the international coalition in Iraq (300 Spanish soldiers trained Iraqi military and police), Turkey is in the NATO framework, and in Lebanon in the framework of the UN mission, the MP recalled. The country in recent weeks, a debate raged whether the official Madrid to join also to operations in Syria. While the government, Mariano Rajoy, made it clear that such a possibility is excluded. “Any decision will be agreed upon with our allies and must be approved by General Cortes (the Spanish Parliament – ed.),” said Martinez.
Three of the refugee problem
The Spanish authorities stated that this year the country will receive about 35 thousand refugees — about 17,7 thousand refugees under the quota system of the EU, more than 17 thousand, according to forecasts of the Ministry of internal Affairs, cross the border of Spain in the area of Ceuta and Melilla (the two enclaves in North Africa, the border with Morocco). So far, however, Spain took quota of the European Union only 12 people.
The representative of Spain’s ruling party said that the government’s position is based on three principles – “solidarity, control and responsibility.” “First, solidarity with people who are fleeing from armed conflict, from terrorism and the abuse of their most basic human rights. We are in solidarity with the countries, whence there is a flow of refugees, we advocate a peaceful solution to the conflict, we stand in solidarity with the countries through which the main flow of refugees and advocate for the protection of their borders. We also Express our solidarity to those countries where the refugees arrive,” explained the politician.
“The second point is the control at the external borders of the EU. As does Spain, in cooperation with the countries of origin of migrant flows, and with countries through which these flows go. It should also collaborate with non-profit organizations, Autonomous communities and local organizations,” she urged.
The third aspect is security. “It is necessary to ensure the safety of the Spaniards,” said the politician.
Only in 2015 in Spain on suspicion of links with Islamist terrorists were detained 100 people. Over the past four years — 175 people.
The minority can not impose the opinion of the majority
The ruling party believes that, under current legislation, the authorities of Catalonia has no legal levers to achieve independence. She also recalled that in the September elections the majority of people in Catalonia spoke out against “separatist project”.
In Catalonia on 27 September, elections to the Parliament of the autonomy that local authorities declared a “plebiscitary”. As a result an absolute majority in the Parliament received the forces of the Autonomous community from Spain, the coalition Junts pel Si (“Together for “Yes”) and the party “Candidacy of national unity” (СUP). Thus for these two political forces voted less than half of the voters. After these elections, the Catalan Parliament voted in favour of resolution “about the beginning of independence from Spain”, as voted for by the majority of MPs from the separatist parties. The Spanish government filed a lawsuit in the constitutional court, which acknowledged the illegality of the actions of the Catalan legislature.
“In a democratic country there is no other way except dialogue. The Spanish Constitution of 1978 was adopted with the approval of 90% of Spaniards, and, according to the basic law, sovereignty refers to the powers of the entire Spanish people. Therefore, guaranteed the future of Catalonia in Spain, including because wanted the majority of people in Catalonia. A minority, however noisy it may be, cannot impose their opinion to the majority”, — said the representative of right party.
Spain’s Problems
The main problem of the people’s party, as, indeed, the vast majority of Spaniards (according to polls, 70%) believe unemployment, which is one of the highest in Europe along with Greece (according to the latest data, it is just below 22%). “Our goal is to create 2 million jobs so that by 2020, 20 million inhabitants of Spain were employed. Thus, we can guarantee a pension that will strengthen the welfare society (in terms of education, health, etc.) and reduce inequality in the country”, — said the politician. She noted that special attention in the program of the party given to combat the threat of Islamism.
After the elections
Following the results of elections on December 20 in the country, apparently, will be formed the first ever coalition government. Polls show that four political forces — the ruling people’s party, socialists, “Citizens” and We have the chance to take part in it. This kind of coalition — left or right — would be formed following the elections on Sunday, is still not clear.
Polls show that the people’s party will get to Sunday’s election the majority of votes. The Prime Minister Rajoy apparently fears that the leftists can agree on a coalition and, thus, even in case of victory of the NP right-wing will lose power. “NP is always able to find a compromise. But it is important that the rules of the political force that garners the most votes, and that was not an option that the coalition will conclude “loser” — it would mean the violation of the democratic will of citizens”, — said Martinez.
