Interview of H.E.M. Carlos Bastarreche,

Ambassador and

Permanent Representative of Spain

to the European Union

Could you remind the priorities of the Spanish Presidency?

The Spanish Presidency had identifi ed twomain priorities for its semester, the fi rst andmost important being the economic recoveryand to define our common economic strategyfor the future. We want to restore macroeco-nomic stability and return public finances to asustainable path and deepen the fi nancial su-pervision. In addition, we want a new strategyfor growth and jobs known as the Europe 2020Strategy, based on an enhanced coordination ofeconomic policies. Europe 2020 puts forwardthree mutually reinforcing priorities: develo-ping an economy based on knowledge andinnovation; promoting a more resource effi -cient, greener and more competitive economy;fostering a high-employment economy delive-ring social and territorial cohesion.

Secondly, we aim at the solid implementa-tion of the Lisbon Treaty, in particular suppor-ting the establishment of the new institutions and developing key aspects of the Treaty that are fundamental to bring the EU closer to its citizens, such as the “European Citizens Initia-tive”, among others.

We also want to strengthen the role of Europe as a global player, with the creation of the European External Action Service, to support the work of the High Representative, Vice-President of the Commission, in giving coherence to the Union’s Foreign and Defense common policies. We are equally aiming at the hearts of the EU citizens with the promotion of policies and proposals that improve equa-lity and also to deepen the internal security.

Is the Spanish Presidency pleased with the first quarter achievements?

There is always room for improvement and the economic context leaves no room for complacency. We are undertaking the

challenge with enormous persistence. Work is at full speed to obtain our objectives and all the efforts are being made to handle all unexpected events. In this context, I want to underline the overall impact in the Eurozone of the Greek financial crisis and the conse-quences for the European air space of the volcanic cloud.

The Spanish Presidency is working closely with the rest of the institutions and Member States to lay down the grounds for the new Europe 2020 Strategy. Our efforts need to be better focused in order to boost Europe's competitiveness, productivity, growth po-tential and economic convergence. We have also pushed decisively for the EU to show its solidarity to help a Member State when facing economic and fi nancial difficulties and for a speedy progress towards a closer economic coordination in the EU.

We are also satisfied that, despite these difficult times, the EU has been able to show its solidarity with countries in a far more criti-cal situation such as Haiti, that lost more than 200.000 people in the earthquake that struck at the beginning of the year and brought the country to a total collapse.

What are the five basic areas for the EU 2020 economic strategy, including battle against poverty?

We are confident that the European Council in June will launch this new Strategy which will allow the EU to focus on the key areas where action is needed: knowledge and innovation, a more sustainable economy, high employment and social inclusion.

As you know, the European Council agreed on five headline targets, which constitute shared objectives guiding the action of the Member States and of the Union. The fi rst ob-

jective is specially aiming to raise to 75% the employment rate, including for young people, older workers and low-skilled workers and to better integrate legal migrants.

The second objective searches to improve the conditions for research and development, in particular with the aim to reach public and private investment levels in this sector equiva-lent to 3% of GDP and the third, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, as well as increasing energy efficiency by 20% and the share of renewable energy in fi nal consumption to 20%.

The fourth objective focuses on the need to improve education levels, to reduce school drop-out rates and increase the number of people having completed tertiary or equiva-lent education and, the last headline target, looks to promote social inclusion, in particular through the reduction of poverty.

These targets cover the main areas where efforts are rapidly needed. They are interre-lated and mutually reinforcing. In the light of the headline targets, Member States will set their national targets, taking account of their relative starting positions and national circum-stances.

What is the strategy of Spain in the Research, Development and Innovation fi elds?

Spain is doing great efforts to increase its expenditure on research, development and in-novation, in line with the commitments the Member States have adopted to reach 3% of GDP expenditure. The expenditure in this area was increased by 50% in Spain, from 0.79 to 1.27% of our GDP, between 1995 and 2007, last year with comparative data. This expendi-ture has kept on growing in 2008, when it reached 1.35% of GDP.

The national program Hidalgo 2010 was designed with the aim of promoting better synergies within the public administration, scientific and academic sectors and increase effectiveness in this area.

Spain has given as well a great deal of im-portance to the development of renewable energies, an area in which we have a lot of experience to offer. Spain is not only one of the pioneers in clean energies such as solar or thermo solar, but also has also consolidated itself as the second main producer of wind energy, after Germany.

Could you explain why Spain is at the forefront when considering fi ne arts, tourism, gastronomy, fashion, design or sport?

As you can imagine, Spain is, for me, a wonderful country! It offers a great variety of locations and cultural traditions that are not only a manifestation of the traces left by the different civilizations we hosted in successive

historical periods, but also resulting from the different autonomous communities evolution in the country.

You ask me why is Spain at the forefront? The answer is very simple. We have built on our traditions looking ahead at the future with an innovative and dynamic perspective. Who doesn´t know Spanish historical perso-nalities such as Carlos V or Cristobal Colon? Artists like Picasso, Dali or Gaudi? Younger generations are also particularly appealed by artists such as Antonio Banderas and Pedro Almodovar.

But Spain has not only produced good pro-fessionals in fine arts, also top athletes like the tennis player Nadal, the formula runner Alonso and the NBA player Pau Gasol. And of course, we can´t forget Spain´s well known culinary tradition, internationally recognized as being vanguardist, thanks to top chefs like Ferran Adriá.

Our country has a lot to offer, in terms of cultural and entertainment, not only for those searching the beach and sun formula, a reason why Spain has remained at the forefront of most visited countries, year after year.

080707 PUB PAGES 125 X200.indd 1 11/06/07 16:28:09