The President of the Andalusian Government, Juanma Moreno, and the President of the Government of Aragon, Jorge Azcón, have signed a new protocol on railway transport infrastructure, logistics, and intermodality at the headquarters of the Government of Aragon in Zaragoza, updating the one signed in 2022. There will be a monitoring committee composed of representatives from both communities who will meet to evaluate the progress of the projects included in this protocol.
Moreno, who has made an institutional visit to Zaragoza, stated that this protocol originated in 2017 between the then governments of Aragon and Andalusia and that now this commitment is renewed with, among other objectives, the acceleration of the implementation of the Algeciras-Zaragoza Rail Highway and other railway projects, as well as the necessary reactivation of the Central Pyrenees Crossing.
«This protocol speaks of mobility and connectivity because it translates into progress, development, and advancement for society,» he added.
In this way, he explained that the Algeciras-Madrid-Zaragoza Rail Highway covers over a thousand kilometers and will connect the Port of Algeciras with the Zaragoza Plaza terminal, serving as a link between Europe and Morocco. This, he said, will be a crucial boost to intermodality, allowing logistics chains to be linked to European railway routes and ensuring transport sustainability.
Furthermore, he stated that the effectiveness of this railway corridor and its connection to the rest of Europe and the Trans-European Transport Network requires an additional connection through the Central Pyrenees Crossing, a link that breaks the border effect of the Pyrenees, giving it undeniable European added value. «Both governments agree that these infrastructures are a backbone of logistics chains,» he added.
The Andalusian President emphasized that both the railway highway and the Pyrenees Crossing link will have a significant impact on both communities, generating more employment, progress, and advancement.
In this regard, he indicated that the Algeciras-Zaragoza Rail Highway should have been in service by 2024 and pointed out that only recently has the Ministry started work on some sections in Andalusia, leading to speculation that it could be operational by 2027.
«It is important for Andalusia and Aragon to keep alive our timely and just demands because transport infrastructure is a decisive factor today for the economic prospects of our autonomous communities. No territory can compete if it is not well connected.»
He also emphasized the need to develop the entire Trans-European Transport Network, while stating that both communities will continue to demand that the Spanish government decisively address this network and the Mediterranean and Atlantic railway corridors. A transportation design that, as he highlighted, not only involves connecting strategic points in both territories but also the future of a logistics network in Andalusia and Aragon with enormous growth potential.
Moreno assured that meetings like this serve to collaborate, cooperate, and push in the same direction, weaving a network of complicity among different territories and sectors of society to understand that this Rail Highway is key not only for the progress of Spain but also for Europe.
From left to right, Rocío Díaz, Juanma Moreno, Jorge Azcón, and Octavio López.
«It is not only an objective of the Andalusian and Aragonese governments. It is the objective of a country that transcends our interests. What we want is to structure and unify the competitive capacity that Spain has, benefiting two key territories like these.»
On another note, he referred to autonomous financing and lamented that the current Minister of Finance, who was then a councilor in Andalusia, defended the opposite of what she now advocates, that she has shown no willingness to bring this issue to the CPFF or the communities, and that nothing has been done to address one of the major problems Spain faces because, as he emphasized, «communities are responsible for providing services that are fundamental rights.»
Regarding debt forgiveness, he noted that Andalusia does not have a debt problem but a financing one and pointed out that the proposal is a tasteless joke compared to the problems faced by the autonomous communities.
The President of the Junta converses with the President of the Government of Aragon.
«The proof that debt forgiveness is not useful for us is that three weeks ago we went to the markets and for one billion euros that we had offered, there were 120 investments from 20 different countries. The interest paid by the markets is similar to what the Public Treasury offers. What need do we have for debt forgiveness when we have no debt and the interest rates are clearly favorable?» he questioned.
Also present at the event were the Councilor for Territorial Articulation, Housing, and Development of the Andalusian Government, Rocío Díaz, and the Councilor for Development, Housing, Logistics, and Territorial Cohesion of the Government of Aragon, Octavio López.
«The proof that debt forgiveness is not useful for us is that three weeks ago we went to the markets and for one billion euros that we had offered, there were 120 investments from 20 different countries. The interest paid by the markets is similar to what the Public Treasury offers. What need do we have for debt forgiveness when we have no debt and the interest rates are clearly favorable?» he questioned.
Also present at the event were the Councilor for Territorial Articulation, Housing, and Development of the Andalusian Government, Rocío Díaz, and the Councilor for Development, Housing, Logistics, and Territorial Cohesion of the Government of Aragon, Octavio López.