AGUILAR ADDRESSES THE NATION ON USUAL NEW YEAR'S EVE SPEECH
Good afternoon my dear compatriots,
I appear before you today to take stock of the year behind us, as has been my custom since I became President, and to set out my resolutions for the year to come. After my appearance two days ago in which I took stock of the commitments made by the Government of Spain in its electoral pacts and promises, it is now that, personally and objectively from my perspective as President, I assess what 2021 has been for all of us, not only individually, but as a society that has faced many challenges and that has always tried to be responsible and to stand shoulder to shoulder in times of difficulty. I do not want to begin the content of this speech without remembering the people of La Palma, affected by the volcanic eruption that they have had to suffer in their own flesh. The Government and the institutions of the Canary Islands are with you to help you in everything you need.
First of all, I would like to talk about our year from an international perspective, and take stock of it in a positive way. During the year, we have proven that we are able to respond to any threat and challenge that is put in front of us. I remember, at this moment, the volcanic eruption that our ally, Nofoaga, suffered this summer and the great efforts that the Spanish Army made to save as many lives as possible, and as many species as possible. Thanks to the great preparation of the Spanish military and the protocols established by the Ministry of Defence, we were able to meet and even exceed expectations. I still think of the victims of that catastrophe and how hard those days were, but Spain is there not only to protect the good people of the island, but also to help them rebuild their home. The Spanish military are doing all they can and more to make that reconstruction, as on La Palma, quick and safe.
It is also worth mentioning our closest allies, who fall under the new Telum Treaty and who have remained loyal to our country, as we have to them. The cooperation established with Inimicus, the Duxburian Union, Inquista and North Diessen, which was reaffirmed in this new treaty that we all signed a few weeks ago, makes it clear that our bloc of closest allies is a solid, compact bloc that will not be broken thanks to the great trust that exists between all of us. I know firsthand the love that both Ms. Kligenberg and Emperor Artabanos have for our country, world leaders whom I cherish and whose countries I adore, as do the other members of the Treaty of Telum. This treaty is the step we all had to take to make the Red Sea area, including our beloved Bay of Biscay, a safe and peaceful place in Europe.
I would like to remember not only our closest allies, but also those with whom, although we have no treaty, we consider them as close friends and countries we can trust, such as Mennrimiak, Ruthund, Fremet, Icholasen, Vayinaod, Gadalland and Aspern, Leagio, United Duchies, Montenbourg or Reitzmag, with whom our relations are improving all the time; and also those countries with which we want to build a stable relationship and incorporate them into our group of very close friends, but which we already consider friends, such as Ineland, Istkalen or Czech Slavia, Brickston, Gania or Angleter. Spanish diplomacy has worked excellently in 2021, and I will ensure that it continues to do so in the coming year.
To continue with this speech, I would like to talk about our territorial integrity, questioned during this year 2021 not only by rebels who took up arms against the legal order of this country, but also by foreign countries that believe they have the right to question how far our waters reach when they are not regulated under any European or international regulations. Huriyah, although no longer a risk to us, remains in our sights as a country we cannot trust at all. No sign of life or virtually opaque communication does not mean that 2022 will not be a year in which the rebels in the Rif and associated provinces will not stop trying to torpedo us. The Spanish population must remain alert and distrustful of those who assassinated two Spanish diplomats, who only sought peace and to avoid returning to that dark past, marked by terrorist attacks carried out by ETA. Spain continues to hold out its hand to negotiate, we continue to try to reach an agreed solution, but all we find is an insurmountable wall.
The last time I appeared before you, I did so to speak about the Strait of Adventuranza and to reaffirm Spain's position on the issue, a position that has the support of many countries of the Union and of many of our allies. The strait is, has been, and will continue to be Spanish no matter what anyone says, and in 2022 we will once again reaffirm our position. The treaty we signed was to restore stability to this region, far from closing or pretending to close this episode. The coming year must be used to restore our normality to our strait, and we will do it gradually, but we will do it. Those who, a few months ago, were celebrating the collapse of the system that was in place there, will have to stop celebrating. Once again, I would like to take this opportunity to say that the Strait of Adventuranza is, has always been and will continue to be Spanish, no matter what certain cheating states do.
At the national level, we must continue to work to make a better country than the one we had a few years ago, to become leaders and benchmarks in many areas and to be an open, pluralistic country that shows the world that it is possible to live in peace even if there are a plethora of political ideas, each one different from the other. Many of you, when you see me in the street, always ask me the same thing: to be honest, to work for you, but above all, not to harm future governments, much less future generations. And believe me, every day that I sit in the office of this Palace I am aware of your proposals and of the enormous weight that being your President of the Government will carry. In 2022, we are going to commit ourselves to the Spanish Green Plan to continue with its fulfilment, to make progress in science, in the field of space, as well as to continue eliminating unemployment, poverty and overcoming many of the challenges that our society faces.
I am well aware that it is tempting to be lured by those who promise gold in vast quantities, but like everything that is free in this life or appears to be a bargain, we have to be careful. Basically, to get the message across in a more understandable way, we should read the terms and conditions of a contract before signing it. I would ask you, please, to respect political plurality and anyone who disagrees with you, but please, as a society, let us not allow violence and tension, idleness and demagoguery to take over our way of seeing things, our way of life. Spain must be a cohesive country, inspired by its own revolution, by the Transition of '78, in order to continue growing and advancing, incorporating the values of this century in order to continue being that open, humble country that so many people visit every year, an attractive country full of hard-working and humble people.
In conclusion, I would like to stress once again the role of the Crown in our country, guarantor of the neutrality and good representation of Spain. I agree with the words of His Majesty in his Christmas message, and I join in his call for responsibility, as well as abiding by it and carrying it out. We politicians are but the representatives of the people, the ones in charge of giving voice to their ideas, their proposals and, in return, making this the best country in the world. The corruption of many of us prevents this. We must be responsible and apply ourselves to what we are asking of society, both the Members of Parliament and I, the President of the Government.
I will not go on any longer. I hope that this year 2022 will be a good year for all of us, in which we will find joy, health and that our lives will be considerably better than the year we left behind. I hope that your resolutions will be fulfilled, and if it is up to me, you can be sure that I will work to make them happen. I wish you a very Happy New Year.
Thank you, Gràcies, Eskerrik Asko, Grazas, Merci, Gracias y buenas tardes.
The Kingdom of Spain
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