Europe “means respect for the rule of law” and must abide by the rules. “No matter what the circumstances,” Pablo Casado, chairman of the Spanish People’s Party, discussed the relationship between the Madrid Sanchez government and Turkish President Recep Tayyip. (Recep Tayyip) Erdogan commented on the apparently warming relationship.

He emphasized his "complete" commitment to the territorial integrity of Greece and said that "no excuses should be made for such a commitment."

We have seen some activities in the relationship between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, even in the sensitive defense field, this has also been transformed into a bilateral agreement. Would you say that we are experiencing an upgrade of the Madrid-Ankara cooperation? Considering the tensions between Greece, Cyprus and the EU and Turkey, how would you assess this development?

Europe means freedom and unity. Europe means openness. But Europe also means respect for the rule of law. To be European means to respect the rules we set for ourselves, and these rules form one of the basic pillars of our coexistence. If we want to call ourselves Europeans, no matter what the situation is, we should abide by human rights, gender equality and religious freedom. Greece and Spain share this spirit, and we all hope that the Mediterranean will be a place of encounter and freedom, not a place of tension.

My commitment to the territorial integrity of Greece-like any of our European partners-is complete. I firmly believe that there should be no excuses for such promises. I am well aware that this commitment is two-way. In Spain, whenever our sovereignty is challenged, we are particularly grateful for the support of other European countries, even the radical separatism within our country.

European leaders, such as Emmanuel Macron (Emmanuel Macron), raised the issue of changing the EU's foreign and defense policy strategy. The French president's statement that "NATO is clinically dead" is typical. what do you think?

We should not forget that NATO is a defensive organization. In a world where authoritarianism is re-emerging, NATO’s role should be expanded to ensure peace in countries that want to live freely. I do believe in an expanded alliance that will attract nations based on values ​​and commitment to freedom, not just because they belong to a certain geographic area. Why can’t Israel or Australia be part of a new freedom-based alliance? NATO should not be fired, but it must be renewed.

The transatlantic ties are strong, but we must shoulder the responsibilities of Europeans. We cannot rely solely on the protection of the United States forever. We should be responsible and adjust our military expenditures based on reality, and improve our military capabilities to deal with unconventional threats: from mixed warfare to cyber warfare. We need to reorganize our defense industry so that our military can interoperate. Unless we start to make decisions that go beyond words, European defense will not become a reality.

An important debate on the future of the Eurozone Stability Pact is underway. In fact, as we wait for the new German fiscal policy agenda, there is pressure to relax rules in some quarters, at least with regard to public debt. What is your position on the nature of any changes to the Euro Agreement?

I think we should not take the previous steps for granted. The most important thing is to implement domestic economic and fiscal policies to meet the challenges. Unfortunately, in Spain, the government is approving budgets based on false economic forecasts, which have been questioned by independent analysts and international organizations.

In addition, it is betting that excessive tax increases will trample on the middle class and slow our economic growth. The structural deficit will rise to 5%, and public debt will reach 1.4 trillion euros. All of this is to fund the whims of government partners (socialists and left-wing populists) and their supporters of nationalism and independence.

Greece has been at the center of successive crises, which eventually led to a debt crisis and a Greek Brexit scenario. Today, despite the unfavorable conditions brought about by the pandemic, Greece's attempt to rebrand is obvious. How would you rate the work done in the Greek economy in recent years? Where will you focus the attention of decision makers?

I respect and admire the Greek people. They can understand that left-wing populism is not interested in improving their lives, but in imposing an ideological agenda that pushes Greece into the abyss. I very much respect and admire Prime Minister Mizotakis's ability to bring Greece and the Greeks back to the road to recovery. He made a difficult decision (this is what the right-wing party was forced to do when it came to power). He did not try to fool the Greeks. And he faces problems without promoting cheap speech. He is a role model for some right-wing leaders in Europe.

Like Greece, Spain is also a country with a highly developed tourism industry, so it is also vulnerable to pandemics. Is the Spanish economy recovering its losses? How do you see the development in 2022?

In Greece and Spain, the impact of the Covid crisis on the tourism industry is huge. Unfortunately, in Spain, some ministers are trying to demonize tourism. Nevertheless, I believe that Spain’s tourism industry is very strong and will overcome this crisis, as will our entire economy. We are a strong and competitive country facing major challenges. We must initiate structural reforms to promote investment and productivity and increase job creation. I propose to use the Next Generation EU Fund to improve our tourism industry and other structural reforms, such as those implemented by the Mizotakis government. Unfortunately, Spain’s socialist government is focusing on short-term spending guided by political sponsorship.

Considering the evolution of the pandemic, do you see the glass half full or half empty? Do you foresee the emergence of this crisis in a reasonable time?

I am very realistic. I am very happy to be able to say that the Spanish government is working in the right direction. But reality means trying not to lie, because change only comes from truth.

I highly value our potential as a country, and I firmly believe in the Spanish people. But I strongly criticize our government for putting a big stick in Spain's recovery. There are many of these big sticks: high taxes have killed the middle class, uncontrolled energy prices overwhelmed Spain’s economy and households, concessions to populists and nationalists, and the only goal is to stay in power.

But let me tell you: I can’t be negative, because when I visit companies, schools, hospitals or talk to people on the street, I see strong people, and I see the desire to overcome this crisis and be free. And live a good life. Spaniards do not need empty rhetoric: they are worthy of politicians seeking to improve conditions so that they can freely achieve a good life.

This pandemic has made the globalization debate more complicated. In a challenging environment, populism and other phenomena have emerged in both Europe and the United States. Factors such as cheap labor costs in the East and production automation are putting pressure on employment and inequality in European society. What is your position on these issues, and therefore, what do you think should be the strategy of the European center-right in this direction?

In the context of the global economic crisis and pandemic with appalling consequences, many citizens have openly questioned globalization under the control of fear and despair. I do believe that some excessive problems of globalization and technological revolution must be resolved. But I don’t want to throw out the baby with the bath water. A center-right political proposal saved valuable things from globalization and defended people’s desire for belonging, work, family, and a better life. Solving complex problems with simple solutions is the shortest way to populism.

Immigration is an obvious example. Since we border non-EU countries, it is very common in Greece and Spain. The problems in Ceuta, Melilla or the Canary Islands are European problems, and populism should not be allowed to live here. We must defend safe borders and legal and orderly immigration, while maintaining Europe as an open region free from xenophobic speech. We must improve Europe’s means of implementing border controls, while at the same time promoting the prosperity of neighboring regions through effective economic and social cooperation.

The climate crisis requires a change in the energy policy mix. However, the sharp rise in prices often proves the concerns of those who worry that Europe is embarking on a green transition without effective plans. Do you agree with this evaluation?

Europe has clearly stated its position in its low-carbon economy green agreement, and we have the same ambitions. We agree to move towards that future, but assume that it is not as cheap, fast, and easy to implement as the legislation passed by our states. We must take action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but this must be done in a way that stimulates growth and employment opportunities in our own country, while at the same time creating prosperity and reducing poverty all over the world​​. Europe must be able to meet this challenge because it knows that a global player, no matter how good its conditions are, cannot function normally under stricter rules than its competitors. Due to heavy dependence on foreign energy, our industry is in danger. The same is true for microelectronics and nanoelectronics. 80% of semiconductor foundries and assembly operations are concentrated in Asia, can we seriously talk about the common strategy of digitalization? Can we even talk about future competitiveness? We must be brave enough to meet the challenge and let Europe become an industrial power again, not just a consumer power.

How is the Spanish political scene formed today, and how do you summarize your personal goals?

Spain is governed by political parties. The socialists and left-wing populists in the government, as well as the nationalists and independents who support them. Unfortunately, the real problem for the Spanish people seems to be their last concern.

My personal commitment — and the commitment of the People’s Party as a whole — is to restore stability and illusions for a country that should be better than a government telling them what to think, how they should educate their children, or when they should put On the washing machine. The Spaniards deserve more: First, they should get reliable and stable systems based on respect for the Constitution and the rule of law. Secondly, Spain urgently needs an economic policy that will not allow companies and self-employed workers to be overwhelmed by taxes so that they can become a source of wealth, innovation and job creation. Third, Spain needs a social policy to help those who want to start a family and those who suffer and cannot live independently.