Minister Bolaños holds working meetings with the European Commission's Vice-President and the Commissioner for Justice

The Minister for the Presidency, Parliamentary Relations and Democratic Memory, Félix Bolaños, has travelled to Brussels today to meet with two members of the European Commission, the Vice-President in charge of values and transparency, Věra Jourová, and the Commissioner for Justice, Didier Reynders. This is the second time Minister Bolaños has met with them since last summer. These meetings take place on a regular basis within the framework of institutional collaboration that underpins relations between the Government of Spain and the European Commission.

At the meeting with Vice-President Jourová, the minister explained the government's plans for the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU in the second half of 2023. During the presidency, 400 meetings and events will be held, focusing among other things on strengthening strategic autonomy, energy security, the European Pact on Migration and Asylum and the European Pillar of Social Rights.

Minister Bolaños also took stock of Spain's performance in the area of European Recovery Funds, given that it is the country that has received the most funds (€31 billion), thanks to its compliance with the objectives agreed with the commission. More than 150,000 companies, 5,000 research centres and 27,000 individuals have received support from these funds. Bolaños wanted to underline that the Spanish leadership in this area has not only been good for the Spanish economy, but has also contributed to a strategic policy of the EU based on solidarity and the internal and external controls that Spain has successfully complied with.

The Minister for the Presidency, Parliamentary Relations and Democratic Memory, Félix Bolaños, and the Commissioner for Justice of the European Commission, Didier Reynders| Pool Moncloa / Raúl Salgado

The meeting with Commissioner Reynders focused on the progress made by Spain with a view to the forthcoming Rule of Law Report. The minister highlighted some milestones related to the recommendations made by the commission in its previous report, including the approval of the draft bill of the Transparency and Integrity in the Activities of Interest Groups Act, and the draft of the Law on Procedural Efficiency Measures for the Public Justice Service.

Minister Bolaños also explained to both Vice-President Jourová and Commissioner Reynders the agreement reached with the main opposition party for the renewal of the General Council of the Judiciary, in line with the commission's own recommendations. The minister reiterated the government's commitment to the observance of the constitution and expressed his hope that the Popular Party will sign the agreement already negotiated so that the CGPJ can be renewed, thereby complying with the Spanish Constitution and the European Commission's recommendation and desire for the urgent renewal of the CGPJ.

Non official translation