During his speech at the Castillo de San José in Arrecife, as part of the 'Foro Global Sur', Rajoy engaged in a discussion with journalist Alberto Acosta. The former leader emphasized the complexity of immigration, urging against demagoguery and calling for reasonable solutions. He highlighted the importance of supporting African countries to improve their living standards, arguing that this would reduce migratory pressure on Europe.
“"Immigration has become an electoral tool for some political forces that want to fix everything with brute force."
At the same forum, Rajoy also analyzed the current geopolitical situation, stressing that Europe's main challenge is to establish a common foreign and security policy. He mentioned the resurgence of Russia and what he described as “outrageous” decisions by former US President Donald Trump, such as tariffs or his proposed annexation of Greenland.
The former Prime Minister described the European Union as a “success story” for its contribution to welfare, peace, and democratic consolidation. However, he warned about the energy, technological, and security dependencies facing the continent. He advocated for a Europe that speaks with a single voice on the international stage to exert significant influence.
“"If the United States does not defend Ukraine, we must do it."
Finally, Rajoy criticized the foreign policy of the current Spanish Government, led by Pedro Sánchez, accusing it of engaging in “cheap demagoguery” and using foreign policy as a tool for domestic politics. He expressed regret that Spain is not aligned with democracies in the international context.
