Member of the European Parliament · Spain · S&D · Partido Socialista Obrero Español
- 2026-06-17 “(10:38:42 – 10:39:48): Ladies and gentlemen, peace, dignity, human dignity, all of those should be, central planks of the council conclusions. Pace peace in Ukraine and The Middle East, but we must do it together with Ukraine. We are providing unshakable support and, financial support, including a €90,000,000,000 loan to Ukraine. We must also play an active role when it comes to ending the illegal and absurd war, of Netanyahu in Lebanon. We must be firm because otherwise, the peace, deal that was signed a few days ago will go nowhere. Let's also look at what's happening in, Gaza and the West Bank. They, in Israel, have introduced death the death penalty for Palestinians, which we must end. We must rebuild this devastated part of the world. Only if we do this will we have a 2 state solution. The only path forward towards long lasting peace is through a 2 pay 2 state solution. So precise.”
Relations with Israel - Palestine
- 2026-06-17 “(10:26:45 – 10:27:16): Mister Lenars, do you think you could have been born in Kabul and you could have been a woman? What do I mean? It means that you have respect those people who want to improve their lives. Yes. We need returns, but they have to be done with dignity to safe places on the basis of agreements and not the way that the right and the far right are putting forward. So I'm sorry. Please make sure that, immigrants are dealt with, dignity. I am a son of immigrants.”
Asylum & border control
- 2024-12-04 “E-002755/2024 Answer given by Mr Brunner on behalf of the European Commission The EU Blue Card is an important tool for attracting highly qualified third-country nationals to the EU and strengthening the EU’s competitiveness. To promote public outreach, the Commission regularly updates the EU Immigration Portal 1 with comprehensive and up-to-date information on the EU Blue Card. Additionally, the Commission regularly convenes the Labour Migration Platform 2 , which brings together representatives from Member States, European social partners, and other stakeholders, including employers, to facilitate discussions and cooperation on legal migration and support the effective operationalisation of EU-level initiatives in this area. The future EU Talent Pool, which will include online information on legal migration rules, including the EU Blue Card, will help promote job opportunities and ensure that the EU remains an attractive destination for global talent. The Commission remains dedicated to supporting Member States and enhancing the appeal of the EU's Blue Card through effective monitoring and enforcement, and will continue to explore opportunities to better promote the EU Blue Card. 1 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/policies/migration-and-asylum/eu-immigration-portal_en 2 https://home-affairs.ec.europa.eu/networks/labour-migration-platform_en”
Legal migration
- “Thank you, chairman, and good morning all. First of all, I'd like to thank the Secretariat. And both Parliament and the political advisors for this. As you know, I go against repression at society, especially when we saw. I wanted to say it was a good mission for us. The hospitality was extraordinary. You must recognize that. And that was important. Now, I wrote a little article before going to Yaoundé. We wanted to, um, talk about this conference. I had to be promoted by saying that it would not be carried out. Now we were there without too many expectations. Many were quite important. So we kept defending here in our house multilateral trade, looking at rules for cooperation. And we were seeing how that would develop. Now I think that our conference was excellent. There was good. We worked well. There was a lot of participation. It's true, given the situation, we felt the lack of the presence of our Latin American colleagues. They were in Abu Dhabi. But I think that it still went well. And I think this resolution is an excellent one. At the beginning of the conference, we had the feeling that something was going to happen.”
EU-Cameroon relations
- “Thank you. Thank you very much. I'd like to to thank the Secretariat very warmly for all the work that they've done. This was a very intense mission. It must be said. We had 101 meetings with absolutely every delegation possible, but it was very positive. And we know, I think, all of us, that the relationship with Switzerland is intense. It's quite full of ups and downs. And so we have to tread carefully, as has already been suggested by Jürgen, speaking on behalf of behalf of Zilina. So we're aware of that. Equally, Switzerland is an extremely important partner. We've got a we need to have a framework of stable relations with them, and we need to have legal stability and certainty. So all that's very important. And you've also said, of course, the Swiss her focus on independence, on sovereignty. They want to have oversight over their own policies. Fair enough. But we do need to see this in the context of the agreements that we have and that we aspire to. We are not there to give them lessons, as Brent has so rightly said, and they will ultimately be a referendum in Switzerland in which the citizens will vote. That's what happened. I grew up in Switzerland, and I know very well how Swiss Switzerland and its democracy work, and I know very well that you ultimately, the cantons, the trade unions, civil society are your interlocutors, and they're in favour of these agreements.”
EU-Switzerland relations
- “Thank you. President, vice president, president of the council. Dear Antonio, ladies and gentlemen, we're living through interesting times. More than ever. The EU must play a determining role on the geopolitical, um, game board. We as Europeans must unite and morally encourage each other to defend the sovereignty of our Union, its essence, and its existence in peace and democracy. Faced with attacks on international law, we should apply the same standard both in Ukraine, Gaza, Venezuela and Greenland. And here I want to support or express all our support for Greenland and Denmark. Trump has started a trade war. We should respond to that by suspending the trade agreement with the US and apply the anti coercion instruments. At the same time, we need to strengthen relationships with partners with whom we share the same values and views of the world. Mercosur today constitutes the best response against the so-called Monroe Doctrine. We must strengthen our political independence. Thank you.”
EU-US trade relations
- “Thank you. President. Mrs. von der Leyen. The European Union is a tricky juncture. Do we continue to build Europe with pro-European forces, those that supported your candidacy. Or do you go along with those looking to unravel the policies you proposed destroying the Green Deal? The legislation against violence and the digital legislation. We need to tackle the challenges that lie ahead. Young people want to see their rights guaranteed access to affordable and decent housing. President, allow me to finish with the following message. We want to see peace. So please be on the right side of history, as is Pedro Sanchez's government when it comes to genocide in Gaza. Suspend the association agreement with Israel. You know that the Spanish socialists are determined to continue to defend Europe. Thank you.”
EU competences on foreign affairs
- “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Maros. Uh, housing is, uh, something very important. Not exactly as the liberal and conservatives say, but we in Spain, uh, feel that it is a human right to have a roof over your head and to be able to live properly and in dignity. It is part of the fundamental rights of Europeans. So this is something which needs to be extended throughout Europe, and particularly young people in the most vulnerable are involved here. Commissioner, it's not just a question of finding a solution to a tourist areas. We've got an ambitious plan against speculation and working towards at the same time, environmental sustainability. This is a plan being developed by local authorities with appropriate resources and public hate. Aid and help to the people who are Poorest. And, uh, this is a case where we hope that the funds of the European, the European Union are going to arrive at the houses of those who are.”
EU housing policy
- “Thank you very much, chairman. First of all, I'd like to thank Zelena for all of the work on this file. I think 99% or even 100% of this opinion really is, is something that we can agree on. Switzerland is a very important partner, especially in the current world and the geopolitical context that we find ourselves in. There have been very complex, intense, but important negotiations on this agreement. In 1992, Switzerland declined to join the European Economic, the European Union. So there's been there's been a lot of hesitancy, hesitancy. And I think that this package of agreements now is extremely important because it provides a modern, stable framework that we need with Switzerland. Along with all of the benefits that will come with the agreement. Implementing, uh, standards in pharmaceutical and health technology. That's very important. Food safety as well. The the European electricity market as well. It's also very crucial. We need to work together with the Swiss because as you said, very rightly, we need to ratify it here. Um, in the EU. But in Switzerland they will have a referendum and it will be a good opportunity when we have our mission to speak to our Swiss friends, to show that we are very happy with this agreement. It will benefit both sides and I think that we need to then move forward. It. There's also a lib opinion on this, which talks about free movement of workers. They are part of trade. There are hundreds of thousands of workers that cross the border to Switzerland to work. And recognizing qualifications is extremely important. That's all part of trade. So I think that both are opinions that will feed into this file are important. I think that this is a crucial moment for Switzerland. So you have my support and hopefully we'll be able to move this forward. Thank you.”
EU-Switzerland relations
- “Or better use of tariff quotes by Canada. Control of phytosanitary measures. So there are a number of aspects that could be improved. That's why we need to urge those member States who have not yet ratified to do so. I think there was a legal problem for Ireland and that is being resolved. Should be resolved soon. And I underscore the fact in the opinion that we need to improve regulatory cooperation. And then I'm sure, you know Canada as a federal state. And so sometimes it's difficult. For all of the different parts of Canada to ratify and apply all of the provisions. Citta is important for our companies to have access to public procurement over there. And one very important point, because during both visits that I'm made, the citta does not have sufficient visibility. A campaign is needed. Our ambassador there is working on this so that companies, particularly SMEs, are aware of the benefits of the CETA. Moreover, for example. An agreement was signed recently to recognize degrees for architects. That's important for labour mobility and that it would be positive to extend and roll out this agreement to cover other professions. The digital trade agreement is being negotiated. It would be an add on to the CETA, and I think we have a positive outlook on this. We need to continue working in this vein.”
Free trade agreements (FTAs)
- “We already do that. The question is how we deepen that cooperation in light of the growing geopolitical and economic pressures. This morning, the European Parliament Committee on Foreign Affairs adopted its report on Canada cooperation in the current geopolitical context. I had the privilege to serve as rapporteur for an opinion for the Committee on International Trade. The report contains an important section on the Arctic and calls, among other things, for enhanced eu-canada cooperation on Arctic security, including joint monitoring and strategic maritime corridors, strengthening early warning systems, shared threat assessment, and coordination in addressing hybrid and conventional threats. At the same time, even as we threaten our security and defence cooperation, we must not narrow our vision. The Arctic is not only a security space. It is also a space for science research and global environmental significance. Eu-canada cooperation in polar research, climate monitoring, sustainable resources management and technological innovation is essential. If we focus only on deterrence and deployments, we risk reducing the Arctic to a threat, a theatre of competition. Our objective should instead be comprehensive engagement, security, sustainability, science and partnership. That is the strategic balance we must aim to preserve. And now it's my pleasure to welcome at this meeting our expert speaker, Professor Fredrik Larsson from the University of Laval in Quebec, Canada, who joins us remotely. Professor, you have the floor. And thank you for being with us and we want to welcome you.”
EU relations with Eastern Neighbourhood
- “Gracias. President. Thank you. Good evening everyone. It's already been said. We're talking about relations with a strategic partner. It's a neighbour. Not just for France and Spain, but for the whole EU. And we're looking at how we can continue fostering trade relations with this hugely important partner while respecting international law. The the court handed down a judgment that we need to comply with it. The Commission is saying that with this agreement, this reform. The rights and benefits of the Sahrawi people in Western Sahara will be taken into account. My questions are will you uh, shoulder your responsibility? Will we be able to hold you accountable? When will that happen? When will we be able to hear from you? And what aspects will you be checking? How are you going to check and measure the benefit to the Sahrawi people, given that their resources are being used? You talked about key financial measures to bolster important sectors such as the water sector, energy industry. What are these measures? How much money are we talking about? Moreover, humanitarian aid that will be given to the Tindouf camps. Can you go into greater detail on that? I want to underscore the fact that we need to continue moving forward with this key partner while complying with international law.”
Trade relations with Morocco
- “Mr. president. Commissioner. Minister. The new US administration has pushed us into a worrying and dangerous trade war. Something which we can only lose. We can only. And this will all lead to inflation and unemployment. We are seeing a clear display of unilateralism which is going to lead to poverty. Commissioner. Over the next 90 days, we have to negotiate an equal partners. We have to remember that we are the world's largest single market and trading bloc. At the same time, we have to prepare proportional countermeasures and support plans for those sectors which might be affected by the tariffs. As the Pedro Sanchez government has done in Spain with more than €40 billion. I do hope that the EPP will support our economic sovereignty, our workers, our businesses and vote in support of the plan this week. Moreover, we also have to step up our relations with partners such as China, Japan, Canada, Mercosur and Mexico to name just a few. Using our soft power to transform ourselves into a bulwark of international of an international rules based order.”
EU-US trade relations
- “Thank you. President. Dear council. President. Commissioner. Honourable members. The European project emerged in the aftermath of World War Two and has flourished to become a peace project. We need to shore up our security and defence, which is a European public good. And the ultimate goal, though here, should be to secure peace. We need to improve our defence defense capabilities. We need to act together and take more effective action through initiatives such as Safe. We also need to tackle internal threats in our societies. Precarious jobs. Poverty. To ensure peace, we need to ensure good welfare systems and prosperity. As Pedro Sanchez has said, we need to strike a balance between defence through NATO and a strong welfare state in Europe. We have two wars that we need to tackle. We need to face up to Putin and what is happening in Ukraine. And we also need to deal with what is happening in the Gaza Strip. And we need to consider all options, including suspending the EU Israel Association Agreement.”
Relations with Israel - Palestine
- “Thank you chair. Good afternoon to everyone. First of all, thanks to the team that, uh, was with you and the advisors. And also to the parliament and commission delegations, because it was all very well organised. I don't want to repeat what was said. You, Bern and Jürgen and Brandon. But just in a nutshell, determination and concern. Determination. And both and all three of you explained this very well. Our delegation was Were very determined, uh, to not, uh, walk back on the. The European rules and, uh, that, uh, we need to. Make sure that, uh, trade relation rules are upheld, as Brenda was saying on SPS measures. We are not going to change that. And then that leads me to my second point concern. So concern on the part of actors. Uh, senators, the the Agriculture Department with which we met when we were there, as you were saying, the president is the one who decides. But they were asking us to help, and we we, you know, we were asking them to also help us. And but we're seeing this concern on the part of the different sectors within the US administration as well. And and we're asking for our support as well, as Brenda was saying, for civil society and Italian businesses and think tanks. They expect this to be a disaster if we don't reach an agreement. So it is highly important that we continue to work in the meantime in the run up to the 9th of July to find solutions, because otherwise it will be a calamity in which we would all lose out Americans ourselves. We will all lose. So negotiations need to move forward and I hope to see a positive outcome. But thank you for thank you for that. Thank you.
***Accession of Vanuatu to the Interim Partnership Agreement between the European Community, of the one part, and the Pacific States, of the other part”
EU-US trade relations
- “And so this is something that we do need to look at. We need to have equality of employment, for example. Then we have also got to look at Horizon and Erasmus+ and Swiss participation in these important programmes. So the bottom line is it's very important that we make progress, that we go forward here. And I think we have a lot of positive signals on which we can build. I hope we'll be able to give our consent as soon as possible. Having said that, I do understand the concerns our Swiss friends have regarding the steel industry. There are two companies in particular which work closely with the EU, and during the mission we were in Switzerland, we said that we would seek to do what we could to find a solution that would be helpful to them. Our chairman said during the actual mission that we would seek to do this because they have concerns that the industrial accelerator is going to have adverse effects on them. So we have reassured them that we will do our utmost within this House to ensure that the measures which we do implement don't have that adverse impact that they feel Is a concern for them. My group certainly intends to support the ratification of these agreements, and I hope that we can continue in the very positive framework we've worked hitherto. Thank you.”
EU-Switzerland relations
- “Thank you. Bad guy aka president. Well, Trump has kicked the world trade system. We know that we need, therefore, to deepen ties with the Mercosur countries. Those are countries that we share values, principles, interests and cultures with. These countries must continue to be our allies. They must not be the scapegoat for populists as Sita. The Canada agreement was there are opportunities here and threats for farmers. But we need to react to farmers by providing support, particularly in sensitive sectors. This is a market of some €700 million, and there will be access to some 200 million consumers for our SMEs will be opening up, um, tenders. And we must also not forget that at the moment we don't have a joint sanitary rules, but those will be brought in by this agreement. We, as the Spanish socialists believe that this is a vital agreement that must be passed.”
Trade relations with Mercosur
- “Thank you. President. Commissioner. Do we want trade wars or trade agreements? We Spanish socialist socialists are in favor of multilateralism across the world in an efficient and calm way Before the law of the mighty. We'd like to cooperate and protect our interests. The trade wars that the US and China are in favor of could be an opportunity for the EU. Let's trust in ourselves. We are the strongest trade group in the world with the largest internal market, and we need to strengthen it. We need to have greater strategic autonomy by improving our competitiveness. Yes, we need to be firm when negotiating with the United States and China, but we need to be allied with partners like Mexico, Canada, Mercosur, Japan, New Zealand and others who share our values. We know what nationalism and protectionism and imperialism lead to. It leads to war. Let us work so that sustainable trade keeps crossing borders instead of armies. Thank you.”
EU-US trade relations
- “Uh, we don't really have a relationship like we have with Canada, with anyone else around the world. So that is why I think that we really need to move forward, move forward on trade trade agreements, but not just trade agreements. We've also got other agreements like we have with other countries and regions around the world. All of these agreements set a framework that in itself is significant. Uh, our colleague from Ireland was was made a valid point, but I think it's important to work with institutions if we have problems in order to try to overcome those problems. That's a sound approach. So I would say let us continue. And I also think we need to be mindful of the geopolitical context. There's a question of security. They want to work with us. And I think that too is important. So basically to sum up, I would like to continue to work in this direction and to work at our level with parliamentary diplomacy in order to get agreements between our Parliament and their Parliament with a view to ratification, because it would be a good result. Thank you.”
Free trade agreements (FTAs)
- “Thank you chairman. Good morning everyone. Two weeks ago, I already had a chance to present the opinion in Afet. And today I'm delighted to be able to do the same here. Of course, the opinion will be focused on trade, but particularly on the CTA. I'd like to recall that it works. It almost works better for us than it does for Canada. I was able to draw up an evaluation report that was adopted in January 2024, in this House on the provisional application. Then recently, I was able to visit Canada twice, first with Afet, and then when I was able to be chair of the delegation. And I think now it's time to move from words to acts. Canada wants closer cooperation with us on defence, AI and trade. As I'm sure you are well aware, they have difficulties with their neighbour. They can't change. Their neighbour is. But things are very challenging with the US. But they are quite calm because most products are protected by the regulation and so will not be subject to tariffs. What I want to contribute by means of this opinion, I think it's key. There are ten countries that have not yet ratified the agreement. Canada clearly said that they don't understand this. I explained to them these are ten different cases. For example, a Example, a geographical indication like feta cheese for Greece that can be a challenge.”
Free trade agreements (FTAs)
- “So it should all come to a felicitous end. However, there is often an elephant in the room and that is the case here. There is opposition. And so we will need to keep a watching brief on this. It's likely the referendum will be in 2028. It will be important to explain it to the Swiss citizens that there isn't a plan B. It's really important that they give a positive vote in this referendum, because we need a strong relationship will be mutually beneficial to all of us. If we want to build on what we have, they do need to adopt this and we need to play our part by implementing and ratifying. So. It is also true that there's going to be a referendum on a cap on the population in Switzerland, and that is a bit of an elephant in the room. It could have an impact on bilateral relations and beyond. Of course, we have a number of meetings in between times, and I wouldn't say that our work hitherto has been anything other than excellent. Optimal environment. So I am confident that realistic. Thank you.”
EU-Switzerland relations
- “Thank you. President, Commissioner, Minister. Let's be clear that in the Kremlin and the white House and other allies, they're not happy with the success of the model of well-being, peace and democracy that we have in the EU. They want to impose a law of the jungle, and that means that we have to depend on ourselves, our values, affirming them together, but particularly showing political will. We have to continue to provide logistic support to Ukraine and use frozen Russian assets to rebuild the country. At the same time, we need to move towards energy autonomy and and strengthen our own security. We have to strengthen our competitiveness based on the fair digital and ecological transition. We have to diversify our trade relations with reliable partners. The agreement with Mercosur is therefore essential, but none of this will be possible if we didn't have an ambitious MFF, which will allow territorial and social cohesion, which aims at Europe. And it helps, really, we can have to stand up together and then no one can threaten us. Merry Christmas to everyone.”
EU-Russia relations (from March 2022)
- “Merci. Thank you, dear Minister. Dear Commissioner, you have to continue to negotiate firmly till the bitter end. We're the main trading bloc and the largest internal market around the world. Together with the United States. We share values and many decades of cooperation. But cooperation does not mean submission. That means that we need to have credible and firm measures, because if the negotiations feel fail, we have to protect those citizens in the affected areas, as the Pedro Sanchez government has indicated we have to protect our sovereignty, and we also have to make sure that the health digital environmental standards are met. And this is why we continue to protect and defend multilateralism against the law of the strongest. So any deal has to be in line with the WTO rules, which were set up to protect the weakest countries. And finally, the United States is a so, um, as a trade and strategic partner, but it's not the only one. We have to look to other partners Mercosur, Canada, the United Kingdom and others. And I do have a very difficult task myself. We you do as well, but we are standing firmly behind you, so please push on.”
EU-US trade relations
- “When the Turkish representative stands up and says that he's going to remove the veto to the facilitating, uh, tool for investments for developments, we feel that we're on the right way and also that that we can go further. Whilst others said that it was a disaster, now, I think what we should do now is continue with our position and ensure that the delegation keeps working. And I would like to ask the committee to please send this idea further, that we should have an inter-ministerial every year, once a year. I think that's the only way we can bring pressure to bear. And finally, I'd like to thank the cooperation with the Commission. They informed us it all went very well. I'd been to other previous inter-ministerial conferences and it wasn't. It's not now, I can't say the same thing here with the existing presidency of the Union. I don't know what's happening, but I think I hope that next time the presidency in charge will be a bit more active than this one.”
EU-Turkey relations
- “Thank you. First of all, of course, I would like to thank the rapporteur for their very excellent contribution. We have submitted a few amendments and as a result, and only very few. And I'd like to thank the Secretariat and all the Parliament authorities for their support as well. Obviously, this is a turbulent time in the global context, and I'm delighted that we have a stable relationship with Switzerland. Looking at the map of Europe, of course it is at the very heart of the continent, although it's not part of the European Union club. As Jurgen, and as you yourself have just said, though, it is really important for us to have a strong and stable framework for relationship with them, with legal guarantees for both parties. And so this is a package which is bilateral and which should constitute exactly this sort of framework and package. Obviously we've had our ups and downs. Getting here. There have been some rather intense moments and some ups and downs, as I've alluded to previously, but it is important that we now have this agreement far advanced and I think we can deliver on it. I won't go into any further detail about it, just 1 or 2 further points. Trade is important and of course worker mobility is a part of that, if not falling fully under the auspices of trade policy. It is a very relevant factor.”
EU-Switzerland relations
- “Thank you very much indeed, Commissioner. President. Ladies and gentlemen. Last Wednesday, we were celebrating the 60th anniversary of the Treaty of Rome, where we, as Europeans started on our path for our shared destiny. And we made a success of peace and prosperity. But we are seeing, um, a break with that tradition because of events in the white House. So we are in a existential crisis, and we need to look at what are said to be, um, punitive measures against our prosperity and common defence. Our PM Sanchez has been responsible and showed solidarity, solidarity and European spirit defending the interests of Spain. So Europe has to be a participant in this process, and it will not budge when it comes to defending the planet as well as the social rights, we will work with our partners to exercise our soft power throughout the Europe, because that is the future of our shared path.”
EU-US relations
- “Thank you. Chair. First of all, thank you, Matthias, Mathias, for the presentation. I think you've resumed, as you said. Chair. A perfect summary. The negotiation is going on on a peer to peer basis between two major trade blocs. Counterattack measures are being prepared and a series of agreements seem to be working very well. We've got Mercosur going forward, but something is missing, which is protection. Protection for the sectors concerned, for the workers and our businesses. In this connection, the government of Spain has put down a plan, having consulted with the Commission, of course, and respecting the competences to act as a contingency plan if negotiations fail. If, unfortunately, that happens, which I wouldn't wish. Mathias. Are other countries doing the same. Is there any preparation at an EU level for a potential failure to protect all those sectors that would be most affected? Thank you very much.”
Trade relations with Mercosur