All the best things that have happened in Spain over the past 40 years of democracy have been a result of the attainment of our freedom and the achievement of our country’s modernisation, which has been boosted and reinforced through our integration with and commitment to the European project. Since 1977, the history of Spain has been one of a period of socio-economic progress without precedent as a result of a collective effort. The Círculo de Empresarios feels proud of its contribution to this. Expanding our horizons as citizens and our international alliances as a country has
been an excellent decision for the development and strengthening of our democracy and our economy, and in general for guaranteeing social stability.
Based on this positive experience, all the progress that our country needs to make will have to be achieved through new reforms, that should be supported by increased integration with and commitment to Europe – a Europe that (aside from Brexit and the disintegrating threats of populism and nationalism) needs to further define its project for the future and reinforce its unity, whilst always respecting diversity. In comparison to previous eras, the Spain of today can count on a sufficient degree of credibility and an array of strengths that will allow it to form part of the select group of countries that is going to lead the Europe of the future. As a result of globalisation, Europe can and should continue to play an important role on the international stage.
At the same time, Spain needs to put together an inclusive plan that mobilises and inspires us, and that provides structure for us all. This should be along the lines of what occurred with the recovery of our freedom and democracy, the development of our welfare state, and our fully-fledged incorporation into Europe from which we had felt (to a certain degree) excluded, up until then.
