Say loud and clear to the murderers: not bow down to us

USPA NEWS - The Kings of Spain, Philip VI and Letizia, visited the French National Assembly in the main event of his State visit to France on Wednesday. On the floor, as did his father, King Juan Carlos I, 22 years ago, the Spanish monarch called for further strengthening ties between the two countries.

Before the morning, in his speech at the Paris City Hall, Philip VI stressed that "freedom tolerance and mutual respect should not be incompatible with firmness against those who despise those values," adding later that "Paris and France always have the support of Spain in the defense of themselves and achieve victory over those who want to destroy them." The King thanked "the opportunity you have given us to confirm the enthusiasm and confidence in the future of new generations of Spaniards in Paris. They are contributing to the dynamism and strength of this splendid city, and further strengthen the historical and cultural ties that bind to Spain."

The monarch stressed that "today we are also here to remember an important moment in the history of this city and of France in the fight against another avatar of totalitarianism. In August 1944 the 'Nine', ie, the 9th Company of the Second French Armored division, made up mostly of Spaniards, released this Hôtel de Ville." This unit was honored in a simple and moving ceremony, then emphasized that "this garden is a symbol of freedom and tolerance, two of the great hallmarks of Paris have attracted over decades some of my highlights in the various branches of culture and thought compatriots, and found here the right time to develop their creativity" environment.

Previously, the Mayor of Paris, Anne Hidalgo, praised "broadmindedness" and "personality" of Philip VI. He also said that the King of Spain has wanted to rule "under the symbol of tolerance, diversity and modernity" and has managed to embody the "unity in diversity", values important to both France and Spain. At noon, the Kings of Spain held a luncheon at the Matignon Palace hosted by the Prime Minister of the French Republic, Manuel Valls, in which Felipe VI said a few words, which began in French, to witness his French Prime Minister appreciation and that of Her Majesty the Queen for such warm welcome.

The monarch, referring to terrorism and fanaticism that it entails, again stressed that "the Europe we want must be a Europe of the rule of law, a social Europe, a Europe open to the world, a united, strong Europe and solidarity" to "banish fanaticism that have faced." "In short, a Europe of freedom," he said. After lunch, and in the afternoon of 3 and in which it could be considered as the most significant act of the day, the Kings visited the National Assembly, where after a meeting with President of the French Parliament, Claude Bartolone, Philip VI addressed the House floor composed of about 577 members.

There, the King, in a speech entirely in French speech, addressed the deputies present to assert that "the face of aggression, Spain is and will stand in defense of the values we share and we reaffirm solemnly and serenely to those who seek to destroy the terror," with special emphasis on "honor the victims, accompany their families and their loved ones and, especially, say loud and clear to the murderers. They will not bow down to us they will not overcome us, they never make us give up what we are."

He continued his speech, the King of Spain stating once again to the French deputies that "as a friend and admirer of his country, I would say: Without France no Europe, without a confident, true to its values France and firm in defending them, Europe and the world will lose a valuable reference, a fundamental reference" why "we want more France," he said. King also said all those present in the Chamber his desire for "a united Europe" as "a necessary condition for the progress and welfare of our societies and to overcome and avoid the decline, weakness, fragmentation and even confrontation that, in the past, led our people to the darkest moments in European history."

It was the end of his words when the king again insisted the "commitment of our two countries with the goal of world peace" and the common commitment of both nations to "everywhere we look and persisting poverty, injustice, denial of the basic right to education or the health of children, or violation of the rights of women, France and Spain know how to answer siding with the neediest and the weakest. This is our vocation, it is our conviction."