Mariví Monteserín claims that industrial and agricultural activity must be «strategic policies in the European Union.»
The mayor participated in the opening of the 30th Anniversary Day of the Spanish Rural Development Network.
Avilés hosted the Extraordinary General Assembly of the Spanish Rural Development Network (REDR), held at the Niemeyer Center and celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The event was attended by over a hundred representatives from LEADER local action groups and territorial networks from across Spain, as well as various stakeholders in rural development, including government officials, MEPs, representatives from the European Commission, and different local and regional administrations.
The main objective of this event is to analyze the present and future of LEADER rural development policies, given the imminent announcement of the new Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) by European authorities, expected in mid-July. It also aims to assess the major achievements over the years thanks to the work of LEADER groups and discuss the new challenges facing rural areas.
During the opening of the event, speakers included Rafael Llamas, President of REDR; Mariví Monteserín, Mayor of Avilés; Marcelino Marcos, Counselor for Rural Affairs and Agricultural Policy of the Principality of Asturias; and Begoña García, Secretary of State for Agriculture and Food at the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, and Food.
In her speech, Avilés Mayor Mariví Monteserín emphasized that:
«I believe that with the health crisis, and now also with the Trump administration’s attacks on trade, two fundamental activities in Europe’s geopolitical position and territorial sovereignty gain importance.»
«I am referring to industrial activity, on the one hand, and agricultural activity. These are policies that must necessarily be strategic within the European Union, they should be prominently featured in the EU’s multiannual budget planning, and they share a significant identity with what is now defined as a new world view, sustainability. It is crucial to value the wealth of our agricultural productions and how these productions are a source of health.»
«Because, even though we are industrialized, we know where we come from and we have always supported the rural areas. Note that during our main festival, we host the oldest livestock competition in Spain, along with the one in Zafra, Extremadura. It is the San Agustín livestock competition, which this year in 2025 celebrates its 134th edition. By the way, everyone is invited.»
«For example, 43 years ago, we organized the first Cheese and Wine Fair in Asturias, in which we worked hard and believe we have contributed to the recovery and promotion of some of our cheeses, both artisanal and semi-industrial, as a source of wealth for Asturias, as they are today. But even then, this city had the vision that progress must come hand in hand with the surrounding rural areas.»
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References:
– Mariví Monteserín’s statement: https://aviles.es/documents/20124/22090535/MM+REDR+web.jpg/87aac022-466f-833e-d717-434a52e14090?t=1751028751680
FUENTE
