28 August, 2014

By VIVA Team

The leaders of Spain and Germany enjoyed a productive weekend ahead of the latest EU Summit

Mere days after donning their hiking boots and walking part of the Camino de Santiago, German chancellor Angela Merkel and Spanish Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy have spoken in unison about the encouraging road to recovery Spain’s economy has embarked upon…

Rajoy praised the Spanish people for struggling through difficult and often painful economic reforms, giving thanks for their hard work that has helped the country pull itself clear of the long recession to post four consecutive quarters of economic growth.

The Spanish PM said he was most pleased by the “net gains in employment figures” for the first time in seven years. In June, the unemployment figure stooped below 25 per cent for the first time since 2010, and while the jobless rate remains the second-worst in Europe (behind Greece), it is at least headed in the right direction.

Germany’s Merkel echoed that sentiment, calling Spain’s economic turnaround a positive sign, and praising the “very challenging and difficult reforms” pushed through government by Rajoy.

“The foundations are now laid,” Merkel said, “for a more sustained improvement of the Spanish economy.” The chancellor also said that Madrid and Berlin were united on the view that austerity measures and stimulus spending were the two best routes towards economic stability, and called on all EU leaders to follow Rajoy’s example ahead of Saturday’s special EU summit.

The German chancellor has previously been roundly criticised across many parts of Southern Europe for her seemingly heavy-handed approach to reform, with many leaders, politicians and EU citizens blaming her stubbornness on the recent economic crisis.

However, Merkel appeared unmoved by a potentially frosty reception and instead told gathered members of the Spanish press that the EU should now concentrate on key areas that could improve the union’s growth and employment rate. She also supported Spanish calls for a single European energy market – a topic that is up for discussion at the EU Council in October.

Maybe northern Spain’s fresh, crisp air and stunning scenery gave both leaders some much-needed – and long overdue – perspective on Spain’s future.