PALACIO DE LA MONCLOA NEWS--MADRID(SPAIN)

Mariano Rajoy receives Prime Minister of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, at Moncloa Palace

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The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, received the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Sweden, Stefan Löfven, at Moncloa Palace on Friday, taking advantage of his work trip to Spain on 20 and 21 February where he will make a series of visits and undertake promotional activities on behalf of Swedish companies in Spain, and then take part on Saturday, 21 February in a meeting of the Party of European Socialists.

Mariano Rajoy stressed there is "no turning back" on commitment to e-government

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At an event on information technologies in the public administration, held at Moncloa Palace, the President of the Government highlighted that 99% of processes with Central Government can now be performed electronically. He explained that, in 2014 alone, the savings generated for society through the generalised use of new technologies amount to some 20 billion euros.

"Creating jobs is the best antidote against wage discrimination", says Mariano Rajoy

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During the government control session, Mariano Rajoy stressed that one of the fundamental objectives for his government is "to guarantee equality for Spaniards with no discrimination whatsoever on any grounds or personal circumstances". Furthermore, the President of the Government expressed willingness to enter into dialogue with the Basque Group on the new Hydrocarbons Act.

Mariano Rajoy receives EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy

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The President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, received the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Federica Mogherini, at Moncloa Palace on Monday morning for her first official visit to Spain since she took up her position.

Government steps up protection of minors

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The new legal framework places special emphasis on the most vulnerable children and adolescents, speeds up foster care and adoption proceedings, and steps up the fight to combat violence against children. The Council of Ministers also reformed the insurance sector and implemented a new electrical and electronic waste management model.

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Complejo de la Moncloa, Avda. Puerta de Hierro, s/n. 28071 Madrid. (España)

PALACIO DE LA MONCLOA NEWS-- MADRID(SPAIN)

Spain has best ever January, with 3.2 million inbound tourists, an

increase of 3.6%

The arrival of inbound tourists hit an all-time high in January 2015, beating last year's record, with 3.2 million inbound tourists, representing a year-on-year increase of 3.6%, according to FRONTUR - the Inbound Tourism Survey, drafted by the General Sub-directorate of Tourism Information and Studies of the Ministry of Industry, Energy and Tourism.

Of particular note among the top emitting markets in January was the United Kingdom with 579,297 tourists, an increase of 4.9%, and Germany, with 458,105 tourists, an increase of 3.3%. The countries with the highest percentage increases were the United States, up 25.1%, with 63,757 tourists, and Italy, up 20.4%, with 214,830 tourists.

With 1,035,430 inbound tourists, the Canary Islands was the most popular autonomous region, followed by Catalonia with 746,948 and Andalusia with 371,524. The highest percentage increase was posted by the Balearic Islands, up 20.9%, followed by Andalusia, up 11.6%.

Main emitting markets

The United Kingdom continues to be the top emitting market for Spain with 579,297 inbound tourists, representing 18.3% of the total and an increase of 4.9%. This was particularly noteworthy in Catalonia and the Canary Islands.

France accounted for 478,453 inbound tourists, representing 15.1% of the total for the month, which meant a 3.1% fall, mainly due to the decline in inbound tourists to Catalonia and the Region of Madrid. The French principally travelled to the Canary Islands, the Region of Valencia and the Balearic Islands.

Germany, with 458,105 inbound tourists, represented 14.5% of the monthly total and posted an increase of 3.3%. These tourists mainly headed for the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands. There was a notable increase among this group in terms of hotel accommodation with fewer German tourists opting for other types of accommodation.

With 351,522 inbound tourists, the Nordic markets fell by 6.5% in January and represented 11.1% of the total. This fall was mostly caused by a decline in tourists opting for package holidays, particularly in the Canary Islands and Catalonia.

In January, 214,830 inbound Italian tourists visited Spain, representing the highest increase among European emitting markets, up 20.4%, which continued their strong upward trend and accounted for 6.8% of the total. All destinations benefited from this rise, particularly Catalonia.

The United States was responsible for the highest rise of all emitting markets with an increase of 25.1%, representing 63,757 tourists, or 2% of the total.

Main destination autonomous region

In January, the Canary Islands was the most popular destination by autonomous region with 1,035,430 inbound tourists, representing 32.7% of the total, posting a 3.3% year- on-year rise. All main emitting markets recorded increases with the exception of the Nordic countries.

Catalonia was visited by 746,948 inbound tourists, representing 23.6% of the total in January, a rise of 1.5%. Emitting markets of particular note were the United Kingdom, Italy, the United States and Asian countries.

With 371,524 inbound tourists, Andalusia, posting an increase of 11.6%, was the second- highest visited autonomous region in January, with 11.7% of the total. Inbound tourists mainly came from the United Kingdom, the Nordic and Asian countries.

The Region of Madrid remained stable, only experiencing a slight fall of 0.1% compared with January 2014, with 347,760 inbound tourists, representing 11% of the total. Visitors from Asia and Italy showed the most noteworthy increases.

With 8.1% of the total, the Region of Valencia recorded 255,603 inbound tourists, an increase of 1.5%. The emitting markets with the highest increases were Italy, Switzerland, Belgium and France.

The Balearic Islands saw a 20.9% rise, representing the highest year-on year increase for the month, with 106,160 inbound tourists, accounting for 3.3% of the total for January. There was a 31.2 % increase in German visitors to these islands, and noteworthy increases from Belgium and the United Kingdom.

Form of travel, accommodation and type of holiday

In January, 2,597,144 inbound tourists arrived by air, representing an increase of 3.5%. This form of travel continues to be by far the most popular and represents 89.1% of the total. With an increase of 3.7%, 518,044 inbound tourists entered Spain by road.

Hotel accommodation was chosen by 1,965,599 tourists, an increase of 4.9% to represent 62% of the monthly total. Non-hotel accommodation was chosen by 1,204,232 visitors, an increase of 1.5%.

Independent travel was the preferred choice for 2,297,753 tourists, representing an increase of 5% and 72.5% of the total. A package holiday was the chosen option for 872,079 visitors, which accounted for 27.5% of the total.

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Complejo de la Moncloa, Avda. Puerta de Hierro, s/n. 28071 Madrid. (España).

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PALACIO DE LA MONCLOA NEWS--MADRID(SPAIN)

Rajoy states that high voltage interconnection between Spain 

and France represents an important step towards Energy Union

Montesquieu-des-Albères, Francia, Friday 20 February 2015

Mariano Rajoy, together with the French Prime Minister, has officially opened the high 

voltage "Baixas-Santa Llogaia" interconnection link between Spain and France. 

Rajoy said that ordinary people will be the biggest beneficiaries of this interconnection

 because "energy will reach their homes at a lower cost."

​The President of the Government highlighted that this electricity interconnection project is

 "an exceptional engineering undertaking" that combines economic progress with respect 

for the environment. It is also, he added, "a model of cooperation between France and Spain, 

of work together by companies operating the high voltage grid in our two countries, and 

between European institutions."

Mariano Rajoy stated that this electricity project "represents an important step forward in the 

achievement of the goal of Energy Union," as it will allow the creation of a real internal energy 

market. It is, he said, "a project of key importance for the future of Europe."

An example of what "we can and should do" in the EU

In addition, the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy praised the companies that 

took part in the project, the French company RTE and the Spanish company Red Eléctrica, 

because they have managed to combine their efforts and "their proven technical 

know-how" in a joint company, INELFE. He also highlighted the participation in the project 

of the European Investment Bank and the European Commission.

He explained that the interconnection officially opened on Friday "is an example of what we 

can and should do" and also of what can be financed by the European Commission's 

new initiative for investment for growth, the so-called Juncker Investment Plan. In other words, 

he added, it is "a productive, strategic and competitive investment of European interest, 

carried out through a public-private partnership, which increases the growth potential of 

our economies and generates benefits for our societies."

The importance of electricity interconnections

Although a "very important step" has been taken on the path to electrical power intercon-

nections in Europe on Friday, Mariano Rajoy warned that "there is still a long way to go." 

He said that "we are going to try to draw up between all of us a plan with specific projects 

and with European finance so that this time it can become a reality."

"Electricity interconnections are very important," explained Mariano Rajoy. They are important, 

he clarified, for companies, because they improve their competitiveness; for the 

environment, because without them there is no way of developing renewable energies; 

for security, because the diversification of sources reduces dependence on unstable zones 

around the world; and also for ordinary people, "who are the chief motivation and those who 

benefit most from this interconnection," because "energy will reach their homes at a better price, 

and with it everyone's well-being will increase."

Before concluding, the President of the Government stated that there are few infrastructures 

that "better represent the European ideal of bringing down artificial or natural borders rather 

than erecting them, of combining rather than segregating."

  

Complejo de la Moncloa, Avda. Puerta de Hierro, s/n. 28071 Madrid. (España).

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Mariano Rajoy stresses that "not being supportive in the Ebola crisis is tantamount to being immoral"

At the end of the 10th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) of Heads of State and Government, held in Milan (Italy), the President of the Government, Mariano Rajoy, stressed that the situation caused by the Ebola crisis is "on track", as confirmed by the healthcare professionals and the Scientific Committee.

This was one of the issues that the President of the Government addressed during his speech before the ASEM because, in his opinion, this is an "issue of global importance". After underlining the importance of international cooperation to tackle the epidemic, he highlighted Spain's support, both in terms of economic contributions and in logistical support. "This is an issue where not being supportive is tantamount to being immoral", he claimed. He also reiterated that it is not easy to contract the disease and the experts now consider that they can now provide a rapid response.

Economic forecasts

The President of the Government compared the current economic situation in Spain with that of two years ago, when the last ASEM Summit was held in Laos. In 2012, the Spanish economic panorama was very uncertain. Now, Spain "finds itself on the road to recovery and growth thanks to some very tough structural reforms that required great sacrifice and effort from the people of Spain", he stressed.

According to Mariano Rajoy, the government maintains both its commitment to meet the deficit target set for the year, of 5.5%, and the economic growth forecasts, of 1.3% in 2014 and 2% in 2015. He stressed that "we have gone through the worst economic crisis of the last three generations", with several consecutive years of jobs being shed.

However, he stated that the policies developed by the government have enabled Spain to now be in a position to receive financing, that debt is being serviced at 2.1% and "that last year we saved 8 billion euros in servicing this debt". He added that this year the saving may also be significant, amounting to some 5 billion euros.

ASEM Summit

According to the President of the Government, the ASEM Summit has served to strengthen its economic and financial base, since to date much of the focus had been on political aspects. These forums, he explained, should shore up the economic recovery, sustainable growth and quality job creation. It is also necessary "to strengthen all the synergies between Asia and Europe through greater connectivity in all areas": transport, digital networks, and increasing trade relations and investment.

ASEM, which was set up in 1996 as an initiative between the EU and ASEAN (Association of Southeast Asian Nations), has consolidated over the years as a forum for dialogue and cooperation between Asian and European nations. According to Mariano Rajoy, its great attraction is its flexible nature, without permanent institutions, which has resulted in an increase in the number of participating nations. At the Milan Summit, the new countries to join included Croatia, Norway and Switzerland from Europe and Kazakhstan from Asia, to give a total of 51 Member States, plus the EU and the General Secretariat of ASEAN.

Current affairs

As regards Catalonia, Mariano Rajoy stressed that "the good news" is that "the illegal referendum will not be held", in line with the ruling handed down by the Constitutional Court. Aside from that, he added that the ideal situation would be for the Regional Government of Catalonia to "take decisions, govern and approve the budget" because "situation of instability are not helpful for governing any country".

As regards the 'opaque cards' of Bankia, the President of the Government underlined that it was the government itself, through the audit performed on "the nationalised institution" and the actions taken by the FROB [Fund for Orderly Bank Restructuring], a State body, that has placed this issue in the hands of the Public Prosecutor's Office. As such, "the case is now in the hands of the judiciary".

fuente: PALACIO DE LA MONCLOA