ALFREDO PEREZ RUBALCABA, Minister of the Interior

We have approved a joint declaration with the United States of America in terms of the fight against international terrorism, to which we give enormous importance to here at the Presidency. 

It is an original kind of declaration in that it is complete and introduces all those elements that an anti-terrorist policy should introduce.

And what, in my opinion, is more important: it sends a message to the world as a whole and to Muslim countries in particular. A message that has two parts: one part is firmness in the defence of our principles, our values, our civilization; and at the same time, it shows tolerance towards other principles, other values, other cultures and other religions. 

Both of these things are perfectly reconcilable and both things should be stated at the same time. We will be firm in the defence of our culture, our religion, our values, our civilisation. But we perfectly understand that there are others, and we wish to coexist with them, given that tolerance is a fundamental part of our way of life.  
 

From today, the United States and the European Union have the same anti-terrorist strategy. A strategy that is one hundred percent identical. I believe that this message is good for our citizens and it is also good for those people who are thinking about doing things they shouldn't be doing.

ALBANIA and BOSNIA HERZEGOVINA VISA LIBERALISATION

The Presidency and the Commission value very positively the efforts made by these two countries. They have made a great effort. Meanwhile, during the summer, the Commission is going to send their experts and we therefore believe that in the autumn it will be possible for these countries  to meet the conditions for liberalization and that it will therefore be approved.

There is agreement on the main points of the matter. Everybody wants it to happen. There is a little reticence in some countries, because they do not know if they will have enough time to reach the objectives we have set.

The Presidency and the Commission believe that they are working well and that they will reach the objectives. And that therefore the prerequisites set out by the European Union for this liberalization will be met.