ARANCHA GONZÁLEZ LAYA. "THE FUTURE OF EUROPE: NEXT CHALLENGES"
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha González Laya, opened "The Future of Europe" conference series on 12 November 2020, an activity carried out by the Royal University Institute of European Studies which aims to address the most burning issues within the EU and to analyse where the European project is heading.
During her speech, the minister defined the Union's response to the crisis caused by the COVID-19 as "supportive, responsible and swift" and pointed out three aspects that she considers key to addressing in the project for the future of Europe: strategic autonomy, the fight against climate change and digitalisation.
During the question time - more than twenty questions were asked by the audience - Ms. González Laya addressed a wide range of issues, all of which are extremely important for the future of the European Union: Russia and China, taxation, Brexit, Venezuela, reform of the WHO and the EU as a global player.
Finally, she stressed the need for "consensus and putting agreement above ideology and party" as the formula for overcoming the health crisis caused by the COVID19 and encouraged the Royal Institute in this new activity which it is launching and hopes will serve to "build a stronger and more citizen-based Europe".