Spain was hit hard by the coronavirus crisis. The controlled and gradual return to normality is part of our fight against the pandemic. Spain has made particularly meticulous preparations for the upcoming summer tourist season. I would like to find out more about these protective measures during my visit to Valencia today. In the coming weeks, guests from Germany will likewise be called upon to respect the strict infection control regulations in the region and to enjoy their summer holiday with the necessary prudence and caution.

I would also like to continue the close dialogue with my counterpart Arancha González Laya regarding the challenges that lie ahead in Europe. The COVID-19 pandemic is the first genuinely global challenge of the 21st century. It has made it abundantly clear to us that we, as the EU, must become more independent and capable of taking action in order to be in a position to defend our values and interests globally also in difficult times. We want to lay the groundwork for this during our Presidency of the Council of the European Union from 1 July. We are counting on Spain in this regard as a staunchly pro-European partner and vehement advocate of multilateralism.