21/03/2012
http://prensa.fundacionfaes.org/2012/MARZO/FOTO2.MUNCHAU-MAJOR-AZNAR.21.03.12+555.jpg! "Spain has the capability to get out of this crisis situation" "The ECB"s decision to guarantee liquidity has helped improve the situation and generate tranquillity in Europe" Aznar is in Hong Kong, where he has participated with John Major at a panel on the future of the EU. Madrid, 21.03.12.- Jos? Mar?a Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain and president of FAES Foundation, stressed on March 21st that "Spain has the capability to get out of this crisis situation" as the Government is making the right decisions and is very serious about its mandate". Aznar made these statements in Honk Kong at a live interview for Bloomberg TV Among his statements for the British financial TV channel, Aznar declared that "Spain has the capability to get out of this crisis situation. We already demonstrated it in the 1996-2004 period in terms of discipline, stability, creation of jobs, and there"s no reason why we can"t become again an model of prosperity". "The new Government is making the right decisions and is very serious about its mandate. I hope the country has possibilities, after taking serious measures, of rectifying its current situation." With regard to the final deficit target established by the Government, Aznar considered that "it was necessary to establish a new agreement on Spain"s deficit reduction", given that "the Government found a deficit two points higher than the one acknowledged by the previous Administration". In this sense, Aznar assured that "recovering discipline, cutting expenses, cutting jobs in the Administration, making the labour and financial system reform, and facing the energy issue are all very important decisions that will continue in the future". BETTER SITUATION During the interview, Aznar also stated that "The European Central Bank"s decision to guarantee banks" liquidity has been very useful for many countries, and also for Spain". In his opinion, this decision has "helped improve the situation and generate tranquillity. The situation in Europe is better than it was a few weeks ago, better than it was a few months ago. It"s not the end of the crisis, but it"s a sign that we have the capability to improve the situation". HONG KONG Aznar did this interview live from Hong Kong, where he participated at the la 15? Asian Investment Conference. Aznar took part on a panel on the effect of the debt crisis in the future of the European Union organised on March 21st. Also participating was former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom John Major.