The UElement.- Good morning, we are delighted that you are here with us today to discuss the issue of the entry of Spain into the European Union and its consequences.

Firstly, how old were you when Spain joined the European Union?

Tomás de Prada.- I was 48 years old, now I am 78 years already but in a few days I’ll be 79.

TUE.- Do you think this integration was a good idea?

TP.- Yes, because union means strength and because that union has end with the frontiers between our countries.

TUE.- What are the benefits that has provided this change?

TP.- At the economic level it has meant that we have a European central bank and that all nations we owe to the bank. A change that each country had made because before each country had its central bank and made and unmade at its will, economic and monetary changes. Then with the single currency, achieved by President Aznar in the legislature from 1996 to 2000 we managed to achieve the conditions that UE put, which finished with the the entry of a new single currency: the euro. Thanks to the euro, every UE’s member have the same currency and  monetary value which makes possible to travel without making any coin change

Finally i would remark the end of the frontiers between countries that the entry in the UE meant.

TUE.- And the negatives?

TP.- A rise in prices was considerable noted  since a euro amounted to be 166.39 pesetas and prices were much rounde. This made objects which cost 100 pesetas, automatically cost a euro, that is 66.39 pesetas more.

TUE.- From your point of view, should Spain still remain part of this political community?

TP.- Yes, because we have more value together than divided, as in the fight against terrorism and the chance that we can divide up between members the number of troops required for the defense of the EU interests.

TUE.- Finally, if I say ‘European Union’, what is the first word that comes to your head?

TP.- A great success.

TUE.-Thank you very much Tomás for your time to answering our questions.