Waldner: “Deepening the multi-faceted and close cooperation with Spain”
State Secretary Wolfgang Waldner pays a working visit to Madrid
Madrid, 18 April 2012 – Austrian State Secretary Waldner is meeting his counterpart in the Spanish Foreign Ministry, State Secretary Gonzalo de Benito Secades, and EU State Secretary Inigo Mendez de Vigo today.
“The talks in Madrid are intended to provide an overview of the far reaching reform measures the Spanish government is taking to cope with the economic and financial crisis. It is important to me to show our support for our European friends. We aim to identify future-oriented projects together that would have positive effects for both sides and to sound out areas for cooperation in foreign policy matters, such as cooperation in the Human Rights Council where both our countries are represented at the moment”, State Secretary Waldner said on the periphery of the meetings in Madrid. “The EU will need to take the step from crisis management to future-oriented measures and promotion of growth in the interest of us all. This applies above all for the promotion of small and medium-sized companies”, the State Secretary said.
Another important topic, according to Waldner, will be the EU budget for the period 2014-2020 that is currently being negotiated by the EU member states. “In times of austerity measures, a moderate EU budget is a matter of concern for us as a net contributor. Against this background we are striving to achieve a reduction of the budget originally proposed by the European Commission. As far as our discussion with Spain is concerned, we would like to focus mainly on the promotion of structurally weak regions and issues that come under the Common Agricultural Policy.”
“I am particularly pleased to sign a new film agreement with Spain to promote the cooperation between Spain and Austria in the film industry. This agreement is intended to make co-production easier for film makers. I see great potential for our cooperation with Spain in this field”, Waldner said.
Contact:
Federal Ministry for
European and International Affairs
Press Department
Tel.: ++43 (0) 50 1150-3262, 4549, 4550
Fax: ++43 (0) 50 1159-213
mailto:abti3(at)bmeia.gv.at
