go to the original language article
Brussels – The High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs, Josep Borrell, denounced this Wednesday the misinformation produced inside and outside of Spain about the dana to “poison” and “undermine” confidence in the institutions.
“I want to denounce the disinformation processes that have occurred these days, which were so aptly denounced by King Felipe VI in very difficult times,” Borrell said in a video statement published on the social network X.
The Spanish politician was referring to the king’s words to explain the tense visit of the Spanish monarchs, the President of the Spanish Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the President of the Valencian Regional Government, Carlos Mazón, to the town of Paiporta, considered the epicenter of the tragedy that has left more than 200 dead, where some people threw mud and other objects at the delegation.
Borrell also wanted to denounce “the foreign interferences that, thanks to the work of our European External Action Service, we know always occur when we go through critical situations like this.”
“Disinformation, produced from within, from outside of Spain, seeks nothing but to poison, increase fear and despair, undermine confidence in our institutions and our collective strength as a country,” he warned.
“Many citizens have lost everything, including the lives of their most beloved ones. That explains the indignation and frustration manifested” by a part of Spanish society, the high representative stated.
However, he considered that “it is also necessary to differentiate between the discomfort of those who, legitimately, live the difficult circumstances they are experiencing and the violent and organized action of those who tried to cause harm, rather than alleviate the damage caused by the dana.”
“We should all be united in condemning these acts of violence. Violence, even physical, against the representatives of the State and, in particular, against the President of the Government, to whom I also want to express my solidarity,” Borrell declared.
“It’s time to work together”
The head of European diplomacy joined the requests of the highest Spanish authorities in the sense that “it is time to work together to mitigate the effects of this tragedy.”
“As a Spanish commissioner and vice-president of the Commission, I want to join all those who ask us not to deviate from this priority. There will be time. There will be time to analyze how the response could have been more timely and effective, to draw consequences from what happened,” he said.
This catastrophe has demonstrated “how supportive our society can be, but also how important it is to have institutions and how important the commitment of the European Union is in helping Spain and the Spaniards affected in facing this tragedy.”
EU assistance
In this regard, Borrell recalled the full availability of the European Union, its institutions, and member states, to help materially and financially alleviate the consequences of the floods in Spain, especially in Valencia.
“Today, given the magnitude of the catastrophe, I want to reiterate the European Union’s commitment to providing that help. Help both to face the emergency and in the great reconstruction effort that will be necessary to undertake and that Spanish public administrations have already started,” he noted.
He recalled that from the European Commission, the European Civil Protection Mechanism, the Copernicus and SATCEN satellite information systems, and the resources of the European Solidarity Fund were made immediately available to Spain.
Finally, Borrell expressed his regret for the high loss of human lives and material damage, and thanked the effort of the thousands of security and defense personnel, the thousands of volunteers, and the solidarity demonstrated by all of Spain. (November 6)