In this interview, Carlos Bru, Chairman of the Spanish Federal Council of the European Movement from 1986 to 1996 and since 2004, sets out his idea of ‘Ego-Europeanism' and reflects on the basic theoretical principles and elements of a common European identity, as well as Spain's contributions to the European integration process.

In this interview, José María Gil-Robles, President of the European Parliament from 1997 to 1999, emphasises how the European Union has contributed to Spain’s development, as well as how Spain has contributed to the European integration process. He also analyses the growth of Europeanism in Spain and describes Spain’s accession to the European Communities as the achievement of an important political ideal. Finally, he outlines the main ideas of his book Pasión de Europa, emphasising the characteristic pluralism of European society.

In this interview, Manuel Marín, President of the Fundación Iberdrola since 2008, describes Spain’s contributions to the European integration process, particularly its spirit of cooperation, its openly Europeanist public opinion and the promotion of a more Mediterranean and Latin American dimension within the European Union. He sees the European Union as a historical success and Spain’s integration into the European Communities as the most beneficial political operation in the country’s history, with the inestimable result of consolidating the country’s political stability.

In this interview, Marcelino Oreja, President of the Royal Academy of Moral and Political Sciences since 2009, describes the need to involve citizens in the European integration process through the media and educational curriculums. He also examines the role of new information and communication technologies and gives his views on fundamental European values based on human respect and dignity. Finally, he analyses the development of a Europeanist sentiment in Spain and defines the European Union as a permanent construction which upholds freedom and solidarity as major European values.

In this interview, Jordi Pujol, President of Catalonia from 1980 to 2003 and President of the Assembly of European Regions from 1992 to 1996, gives his views on the common elements of European identity and culture with regard to the plan to provide the European Union with a constitution. He also discusses the principles and values underpinning the European idea and the European social model.

Ignacio Samper, Director of the European Parliament Office in Spain, discusses his experience within the European institutions and speculates on the main principles and challenges for the future of Europe, including energy dependence and the arrival and integration of immigrants. He also speaks about the benefits of the process of regionalisation in Spain, the communication and information campaigns in which he has been involved, and the value of the principle of solidarity. He finally mentions the need to count on citizens, represented in the European Parliament, in order to consolidate a political union based on interdependence.

Francisco Fonseca, Director of the European Commission Representation in Spain, discusses his professional career in the European institutions and gives his views on the process leading to Spain’s accession to the European Communities, which he describes as the search for a role within an increasingly integrated Europe. He also analyses the parallel and interdependent nature of Spain’s transition to democracy and its accession to the European Communities, and the difficulties in achieving a balance between the obligations of the internal market and the requirements of the cohesion policy. Finally, he discusses the frontiers of the European integration process and the need for further development of the European Union’s neighbourhood policy.

In this interview, Philippe de Schoutheete, Adviser in the Belgian Embassy to Madrid from 1969 to 1972, describes the relations between Spain and the European Communities during this period.

On 1 January 1981, the accession of Greece brings the number of Member States of the European Communities to ten.

In August 1996, writing in the magazine Política Exterior, Abel Matutes, Spanish Foreign Minister, explains why European integration is the best antidote to combat international instability.

On 23 March 2006, at an official ceremony held to mark the 20th anniversary of the accession to the European Union (EU) of Spain and Portugal, José Manuel Barroso, President of the European Commission, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Spanish Prime Minister, José Sócrates, Portuguese Prime Minister, and Josep Borrell, President of the European Parliament, emphasise the symbolic importance of senior European posts being held by Spanish and Portuguese figures.