Dear Spain. Queridos españoles, queridas españolas.

40 years ago, we marked a milestone in European unity

when Spain joined the European Union.

We had been separated by recent history.

Then you chose a democratic future and came back to your home

at the heart of Europe.

It has been an incredible journey.

Your country has been transformed from Asturias to Andalusia.

Spain is now an economic powerhouse

with the second most advanced tourism economy in the world

and a pioneer in renewable energy and sustainable transport.

We have gained so much from working together.

You have enriched Europe

with your incredible culture and creativity,

and you played a pivotal role in European integration,

backing key common projects like the euro currency or enlargement.

Spain has helped Europe

to become a world leader in renewable energy.

Your companies do business across Europe

and in turn, Europe has invested in Spain,

focusing on what mattered for people

like modernising your transport infrastructures,

building ultrafast electric vehicle charging stations

across the country,

protecting the Alhambra and the Camino de Santiago,

developing new hospitals like A Coruña,

investing in social housing across your country

and delivering broadband to more than 7 million homes.

What a great story we are writing together.

I wish you a very happy 40th anniversary of EU membership

and long live Europe!