The president of CEOE, Antonio Garamendi, voiced support on Thursday for a debated plan on water distribution in Spain. The discussion centered on regional solidarity, fair technical criteria, and a numeric logic guiding decisions. This stance came after Garamendi met with the president of the Generalitat, Carlos Mazón, and his vice president, Susana Camarero, who was accompanied by the president of the regional employers’ association, Salvador Navarro. The meeting also reaffirmed support for Castellón’s ceramic industry and reinforced backing for infrastructure projects such as expanding the Valencia port and upgrading Manises and El Altet airports. It also highlighted a shared commitment to the new Consell and set the date for the next Social Dialogue Desk on January 30.
Garamendi stressed that the Valencian Community stands as a key economic factor and urged attention to a topic that should not be forgotten in Spain. He argued that water is not only a current concern but a critical element for the country’s future and called for solidarity across regions.
At the heart of the discussion, the Júcar and Segura basins concentrate a substantial portion of the national deficit in dam water. Garamendi urged a transparent examination of what is technically feasible, asking how a natural resource can be managed and brought to the table as a shared priority. He remarked that water is a crucial aspect of the circular economy and expressed a commitment to invest in this area for long-term benefit.
During the meeting, Garamendi also reaffirmed support for Castellón’s ceramics sector and emphasized the need for a robust industrial base that can drive broader economic growth. He endorsed the expansion of the Valencia port and supported CEV’s calls for infrastructure improvements, including airport expansion.
Gratitude
Within the context of the conversation, Salvador Navarro, the head of the Community’s business council, underscored Garamendi’s expertise on the Valencian Community’s challenges and strengths. He thanked him for defending regional autonomy and backing the business sector.
The president of the Generalitat highlighted Garamendi as a strong proponent of water policy, noting that the issue goes beyond the interests of a few farmers. He framed it as an industrial, tourism, and cross-cutting challenge that requires coordinated action.
Mazón emphasized the harmonious collaboration among authorities, stressing that a unified aquaculture approach would benefit the entire country and that the Community remained committed to practical, commercial collaboration. He reiterated the value of using water resources in a manner that supports regional development and national competitiveness.
Garamendi’s support for Castellón’s ceramics sector was reiterated, along with concerns that aid from the central government arrived late and in insufficient measures. The Consell and local employers vowed to continue working not only within their mandate but also with their own authorities to advance shared goals.