Plenary Statement at the Solemn Session with King Felipe VI

It is a great pleasure and honour to welcome his Majesty, King Felipe, to the plenary of the European Parliament in Strasbourg today.

Your Majesty, we have had the occasion to meet before, and I have gotten to know you as a thoughtful man, a knowledgeable man, a man well-versed in international and European affairs. Therefore, I am looking very much forward to your speech today. It is an important speech during these difficult times for Europe, when we are called upon to deal with the epochal challenge of migration. And a timely speech, as this year, we are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the signing of the accession treaty of Spain to the European community.

Anniversaries are always times of stock taking of past failures and successes but also times for making plans for the future.

30 years ago, at long last, the dream of generations of Spaniards became true: after a long exile, after suffering and sacrifices, Spain returned to its rightful place among the democratic European family.

In the past 30 years, Europe has helped Spain to become better and stronger. And Spain has made Europe better and stronger. It has been an enormous success.

For the next thirty years and beyond, I wish for Spain to continue to contribute with its passion and its ideas to making Europe a success. In these difficult times, Europe needs Spain more than ever. Therefore, I am very glad that his Majesty, King Felipe, is here with us today. Your majesty, I warmly welcome you to the European Parliament and give you the floor.