SPIEGEL Interview with Spanish Prime Minister: 'The EU Is Already Playing in the Top League'

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SPIEGEL: Do you truly believe that this new Europe can be a player in the same league as the United States and China?

Zapatero: But we are already playing in the top league. The EU is a leading economic and trade power in the world. The issue now is whether we are the best in this league. We can do it. We are already in first place in terms of democratic values. Now we must also create the foundation for becoming the leaders in innovation and creativity.

SPIEGEL: And how do you intend to advance the internal integration of members, so that the EU can achieve these goals?

Zapatero: First, it is important to fully develop the domestic market, to strengthen our common currency policy, to coordinate the regulation of the financial markets and to make the exchange of technology and scientific research as smooth as possible. However, we must also advance social integration in Europe, and ensure that there is no discrimination based on gender or age in Europe.

SPIEGEL: You have announced that the foreign policy priority of your EU presidency will be to improve the EU's relationship with Russia. Isn't that an unusual task for a Mediterranean country?

Zapatero: We have to develop a relationship of mutual trust with Russia. We must come to terms over Eastern Europe, Iran and Afghanistan, all areas in which Russia plays a key role. And then there is also the question of a strategic treaty on very concrete issues such as energy.

SPIEGEL: But you also want to renew the trans-Atlantic relationship with the United States. Spain and other EU countries still play a particularly strong role in Afghanistan, as part of the war against terror. Is fulfilling Washington's wishes as promptly as possible the best way for the Europeans to be on good terms with the United States?

Zapatero: Afghanistan isn't exclusively a US problem, but one that affects us all. It's a country where radical Islamists who threaten the entire world are lurking. The 1,000 Spanish soldiers are not deployed there solely out of solidarity with the United States, but for the good of everyone. It was completely different in Iraq. That's why I immediately withdrew our troops from there when I was elected in 2004. That resulted in serious differences with Washington and a split within the EU. But President Barack Obama has a new vision. He has decided to close the detention camp at Guantanamo. The camp had sent a message that was disastrous for the moral superiority of democracy. To support him in that effort, Spain has already agreed to accept several former inmates.

SPIEGEL: Isn't the United States asking too much of its European partners if, in the war against terrorism, citizens are to be monitored, all banking transactions are to be checked and even personal data are to be reported to Washington?

Zapatero: The trans-Atlantic agenda will address precisely these questions of security policy. We must create a balance between security and freedom. As the head of government in a country that has been wrestling with the criminal terrorism of the Basque ETA for decades, I can confirm that it is advantageous, from the standpoint of security, to gather as much information as possible. Information is already 80 percent of success. But a democratic system must always impose limits on the curiosity of security forces, so as to protect the civil rights and liberties of individual citizens. We cannot undermine these limits. That would be a mistake. Of course, the technological possibilities of surveillance are a great temptation for investigators today.

SPIEGEL: The fight against pirate attacks has been a key issue in common security policy for some time. The EU has now, for the first time, sent warships to the Horn of Africa, as part of "Operation Atalanta." But haven't the latest hijackings shown that this presence is far from sufficient?

Zapatero: We must launch new, additional operations against the pirates. The appearance of criminal organizations in parts of the world has a lot to do with the situation in their native countries. Somalia, for example, is a failed state. The United Nations needs to get involved and suggest solutions. Then we Europeans can help in a more decisive way. The EU defense ministers approved new measures last week. On the one hand, security has to be improved on commercial ships, but so does the security situation on land. The pirates' operating bases have to be located. The EU wants to train soldiers for that task.

SPIEGEL: Spain has always had a special relationship with Latin America. Your foreign minister was recently in Cuba for talks with Raul Castro. What do you intend to do to convince the regime to enact reforms?

Zapatero: Spain has a special relationship with Cuba, partly because many Cubans are originally from Spain.

SPIEGEL: Like the Castro family.

Zapatero: Exactly. So that's a biological imperative. We are focusing on a demanding dialogue with Cuba on issues of the economy and human rights. We have to analyze what Raul Castro is currently doing to open up the economy, for example. That could be the first step toward more extensive reforms. But that will be hotly debated within the EU.

SPIEGEL: Are you optimistic?

Zapatero: I believe the government will change, in the medium term.

SPIEGEL: Your EU presidency will be overshadowed by the consequences of the worldwide economic and financial crisis. While many European countries are already showing signs of improvement, Spain is still in recession, with unemployment at close to 20 percent. Why has the EU failed so miserably at implementing a joint program to overcome the crisis?

Zapatero: Spain will emerge from the recession either this year or at the beginning of next year. Our economic output declined at a later point than, for example, Germany's. I do believe, however, that there have been some positive, coordinated reactions to the crisis. Last October, the euro zone countries joined forces to support the financial system. Certain EU members were on the verge of bankruptcy, and we prevented that from happening. We also agreed to stimulate demand in our countries. Granted, we could have coordinated things more effectively on some fronts, such as measures to promote the sales of new cars. If we had, the effect would have been stronger.

SPIEGEL: Which joint programs will you now propose to your European partners to overcome the crisis?

Zapatero: In the coming months, our goal will be to coordinate our economy policy more effectively. If we have a common, open market in Europe and, for the most part, a common currency, we should also do more things together. The European Council has already adopted guidelines for the control and regulation of the financial market. We must now implement those guidelines. Indeed, in the past there were disputes about Britain's completely liberal approach and German demands for measures to better contain risks. But we came to an agreement in the end.

SPIEGEL: You have advanced social change in Spain in the last five-and-a-half years. Your government has promoted equal rights for women, made gay marriage possible and now wants to introduce provisions permitting abortion within the first three months of pregnancy. This has drawn loud protests from the Catholic bishops, who are bringing hundreds of thousands into the street. Does Spain have some catching-up to do when it comes to secularization?

Zapatero: Spain no longer has an official state religion. Of course, the Catholic Church still plays a big role in our country today, and it expresses its views emphatically on all social issues. But that's not a problem. The overwhelming majority of Spaniards support living together in tolerance, complete with all personal freedoms. Even gay marriage is supported by 60 percent of the population. In a democracy, no one can be allowed to force his or her moral views on others. We respect all religious orientations. And I even have the occasional bishop or cardinal on my side.

SPIEGEL: You will pay a visit to German Chancellor Angela Merkel on Wednesday. What do you plan to discuss with her?

Zapatero: I would like to clearly explain the plans of the Spanish EU presidency to her, because one thing is clear: Anyone who wants to get things done in Europe has to be able to count on Germany's support.

SPIEGEL: Mr. Prime Minister, thank you for this interview.

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• Part 1: 'The EU Is Already Playing in the Top League'
• Part 2: 'The EU Is a Leading Economic and Trade Power'