The Government asks serenity and tranquility over the Brexit

The Acting Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, in an appearance in La Moncloa, expressed “the sorrow of the Spanish Government” about the outcome of the referendum in the UK, which has won the option defending the exit of Britain from the European Union. In addition to sending a message of “peace and serenity”, Rajoy has announced that it will meet with leaders of the main Spanish political forces before attending the European Council meeting to be held next week.

In its official statement, the president has sent a message of serenity and tranquility, “because although it is the first time that a Member State decides to leave the Union, the Treaties provide a negotiated procedure and orderly departure”.

Accordin Rajoy has stressed, “this procedure will, in all likelihood, at least two years from the official notification, and in the meantime the status of relations between the European Union and the UK will not change at all. That is, the treaties of the European Union, all EU legal acquis, freedom of movement of workers, goods, services and capital, the rights of European citizenship and, in general, the whole fabric of relations between the UK and the rest of the members of the European Union and its institutions remain fully in force. ”

“Therefore, he insisted, I want to address this message of serenity and tranquility to all Spanish citizens and especially to those whose residence in the UK, or its activities with this country, they can feel particularly affected by this British decision “.

Rights in full force

In that vein, he stressed that “all rights deriving from their status as Spanish citizens, and therefore European, will continue and remain in full force without restriction until the negotiated exit of the United Kingdom from the European Union is not complet, according to the Treaties”. “That is, he added, Spanish citizens held in the same terms their rights in relation to the UK. Their rights to move freely to work, to contribute and to receive pensions. To invest, to vote or be elected, if necessary in local elections of the place where they live, will not be affected at all, predictably, at least in the next two years. ”

The Spanish president has made clear that, likewise, happen to the rights of British citizens living and working in Spain or the rest of the European Union.

He’s also recommended serenity and tranquility also companies and economic operators, since the freedom of establishment, provision of services, hiring workers, investment, export or import of goods fully remain in force.

Regarding Spanish nationals working in Gibraltar, Rajoy has reported that they have not changed at all their rights, and they can continue working, trading and circulating with absolute normality in that territory.

He has also reported interministerial coordination meetings that the Government has maintained in recent weeks, to be prepared for a possible Brexit. To this end, instructions have been given to diplomatic and consular representations of Spain in the UK to inform and to attend Spanish citizens resident in the United Kingdom on any questions that they may arise in connection with the consequences of this decision, though, as the president insisted, “their rights and legal situation has not change at all.”

They have also held meetings with representatives of major Spanish companies operating in the UK and is in permanent contact with its European partners and institutions to be ready for any eventuality.

Rajoy has also been extended this message of calm and serenity to markets. “Fortunately, Spain now has an economy with strong fundamentals. The current situation of economic growth and job creation, balance of external accounts, the fact that Spain has already much of their needs covered financing, and a financial system cleaned, they allow us to endure in terms of solidity, the financial turmoil that could occur.”

Previous contacts to the European Council

For the Spanish president, “an external contingency like this only a few years ago, could have precipitated to Spain to bankruptcy or bailout. That is not now the case.” In his view, “are not times to feed or add uncertainties, which reiterated the importance of conveying a message of institutional and economic stability.”

Rajoy has said that he will contact with the leaders of the main Spanish political forces to get their opinion and criteria and pass on the information that is available so far, as a previous step of the meeting on Wednesday of next week will keep the European Council . “The European Council meeting will be an opportunity to hear the plans of the British Prime Minister and, on that basis to discuss and decide the next steps,” he said.

In relation to the negotiation process that is articulated around the UK decision to leave the EU, the Spanish prime minister has said the government must defend two fundamental interests, citizenship and the European Union. In that context, he stated that “whatever the result of our go to the polls on Sunday 26 June, I think I will represent the feelings of the vast majority of Spaniards, defending Spain’s commitment to the process of European integration, the importance of the stability and integrity of the euro zone, the continuation of the reform process of our economic and monetary union, and greater economic and political integration. ”

In his opinion, “this result should make us reflect all Member States on the need to strive as never to regain the vigor of the founding spirit of the European integration project and recover interest, affection and attraction to him of our citizens.”

“Now that we are finally out of the crisis, we must bring the action of the European Union to the needs of citizens, in particular, putting all the emphasis on growth and employment as a way to ensure and improve the welfare state, which is one of the foundations of the European economic and social model, undoubtedly the most safety and welfare has provided European citizens in history”, he remarked.

He also expressed his conviction in the European Union as the biggest project of historical significance since the end of World War II. “In just over half a century, Europeans have built the largest area of ​​peace, freedom and prosperity in the entire history of mankind, despite serious setbacks, such as we face today, let no one doubt that we will continue working in the construction of tomorrow. “

Source: Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation.