The general secretary of UGT, Pepe Álvarez, defended this Friday in Córdoba that "Spain cannot, nor should it lose the train" of the defense industry, understanding that it is a "strategic" area in the current international scenario, marked by the new demands of the European Union (EU) and by the convenience of securing "a point of industrial anchorage" within the country.
Álvarez made these statements during his participation in the Indudef Forum, promoted by UGT FICA at the Exhibition, Fair, and Convention Center of the capital of Córdoba. The top leader of the union has valued the work of the Federation of Industry for holding this meeting, which in his opinion reflects that the organization "thinks about quality employment" in a situation of "great importance" to support and consolidate Spain's industrial options.
In his speech, the union leader highlighted the responsibility of the State in correcting territorial imbalances through the defense industry. He recalled that, being the main buyer, "it can indicate where it is advisable for this industry to go," and emphasized that defense constitutes "one of the most important issues for structuring the European Union" and deepening its integration, in a context where "the Northern countries are very concerned" and the Southern ones must be "prepared."
Accompanied by the general secretary of UGT FICA, Mariano Hoya, Álvarez stated that this European reinforcement is essential in the current geopolitical situation, in which, "by decision of President Trump," the United States is leaving Europe "in a difficult situation," which forces the entire continent to "face these new strategic demands of its citizenship."
To conclude, the head of UGT expressed his gratitude for the presence this Friday of His Majesty the King at the closing event of the Indudef Forum, a gesture he described as "historic," as it had not occurred in the 138 years of the union's history. He framed this attendance as a sign of "constitutional and democratic normality," which implies a reciprocal recognition between the role of the Crown and the function that the Constitution attributes to trade union organizations.