VISIT OF THE MAYORS OF THE PEOPLE’S PARTY OF THE REGION OF LA MORAÑA TO THE EUROPEAN PARLIAMENT

On November 17, MEP Javier Zarzalejos received a group of mayors, affiliates and sympathizers of the Popular Party from various towns in the Moraña region, in the province of Ávila, in the European Parliament.

The MEP explained to the visitors the importance of the European institutions, emphasizing that, although the community world may seem like a distant world, it increasingly influences our daily lives.

Zarzalejos exemplified this reality by pointing out that, for example, it would have been very difficult to face the health crisis unleashed by COVID without the support of the European Union. Along these lines, the MEP described the recovery fund plan as a highly relevant and unprecedented event, but he also highlighted the lack of efficiency with which these funds are being managed in Spain.

Zarzalejos also emphasized the energy issue, pointing out three problems that we will have to face next year. Despite the fact that gas production has increased and the European Union currently only receives 20% of the gas that Russia supplied us before invading Ukraine, it is necessary to manage what will happen to that 20% that Russia still sends us. Secondly, he indicated that the energy infrastructures must be expanded to allow more gasification and distribution capacity. Finally, Zarzalejos warned about the growth of Asia-Pacific in relation to its Russian gas consumption —which is expected to be a very notable growth with the reactivation of its economy after the pandemic— and the consequent upward pressure on prices that you can suppose.

The MEP insisted on the fundamental role of the Union not only in managing the health crisis, in guaranteeing the gas supply for the Member States or in the resources that it is allocating to alleviate the economic effects of the crisis, but also recalled that the position of the EU was definitive to face the secessionist challenge in Spain. For all these reasons, he concluded that the Union is an organization worth protecting.