Spain, Sweden See Difficult Talks on EU Recovery Plan

(Bloomberg) -- Spain is determined to take steps to address climate change and accelerate the country’s digital transition, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez said after meeting with his Swedish counterpart Stefan Lofven.

“We are committed to reforms,” Sanchez said Wednesday at a joint press conference in Harpsund, Sweden. “We have a common goal which is to come out with a stronger Europe.”

In their meeting, the two premiers discussed the economic impact of the coronavirus pandemic and the proposed European recovery package. Sanchez is meeting with several European leaders this week ahead of a two-day European Council summit due to start July 17. Both leaders said they expected negotiations to be difficult.

Lofven said he is opposed to the size of the proposed recovery package and he also thinks that the funds should be disbursed as loans not grants.

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