PRESS CONFERENCE BY PRIME MINISTER OF SPAIN

 

Briefing the press at United Nations Headquarters in New York this morning, the Prime Minister of Spain, Jose Luis Rodriquez Zapatero, praised yesterday’s high-level event on climate change and said the next two years would be decisive in framing the fight to stop it.

“The United Nations is now confronting a third major international objective,” he said, naming peace and security, and the eradication of poverty as the first two.  “This summit on climate change has created an even greater awareness on the part of the Governments of the world at the highest levels.” 

He highlighted the European Union’s pledge to reduce emissions by 20 per cent and suggested that that number could rise to 30 per cent if other countries showed the will to shoulder their commitments. 

Spain was also playing its part.  Of the eight countries with the highest gross domestic product (GDP) in the world, he said, “ Spain is the one that has grown the most economically, we’re the one that has created the most employment and, in 2006, we reduced by 4 per cent our production of greenhouse gases.”

Calling that reduction a “good figure”, he said that the key to that reduction had been support for innovation, research and development, rationalization and energy savings.  Spain’s recent success in reducing greenhouse gas emissions was proof that “developed countries can continue to grow, we can continue to create jobs, and at the same time, reduce gas emissions”.

Mr. Zapatero said that the key dialogue in future negotiations would be with developing countries, which had the right and the duty to raise the expectations for well-being.  The international community, particularly the developed countries, had an obligation to transfer technology, so that polluting technologies would be replaced by cleaner ones. 

Stressing Spain’s commitment to the United Nations, he noted that its current development assistance was 0.5 per cent, up from 0.23 per cent.  He also pointed to Spain’s participation in peacekeeping forces in Lebanon and Afghanistan.  Spain would also continue to support the Alliance of Civilizations by hosting its first annual forum in Madrid in January. 

Responding to a question about the prospects for a definitive solution to the question of Western Sahara, Mr. Zapatero said that Spain hoped such a solution would be found, and that direct dialogue would occur.  “The solution to the Sahara conflict is based on agreement –- political agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Saharawi people and their representatives,” he said.

To a question about Kosovo’s future, he pointed out that Spain’s position would be aligned with that of the European Union.  The outcome of current discussions must respect international law and obtain the “greatest possible consensus”.  “ Spain will defend the position that is most constructive within the European Union and which adheres most closely to international law,” he said.

He had had constructive discussions with United States President George W. Bush, among others, during a dinner the night before, he replied to another question.  The United Nations should spearhead new negotiations on climate change over the next two years.  “If there is any matter that calls for a multilateral approach, then it is dealing with climate change and meeting that challenge,” he said. 

To a question about Iran, he highlighted the United Nations Charter and its goal of promoting peace.  “Let us use every possibility for dialogue before any decision can be taken that might apply confrontation,” he stressed. 

He called for transparency for public funds in response to a question about the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) use of funds, but reiterated Spain’s support for the United Nations development programmes.

Responding to a question about Cuba, he said that Spain’s history of dictatorship gave it respect for democracy and freedom of expression.  Spain hoped that the development of a system of participation by Cuba’s citizens in its Government would move forward.  That process should be supported by international dialogue.

To questions about recent unrest in Catalonia, he urged the Catalan political leaders to publicly express support for respectful dialogue.  “In public life you can demonstrate, you can exercise maximum freedom of expression without crossing the line of what may become offensive,” he said.  “They can express their political views, their ideological views.  They will be respected.  But they must respect in turn.”

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For information media • not an official record