The Government of Castilla-La Mancha, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the accession treaty of Spain to the European Communities, paid tribute to Manuel Marín in Ciudad Real on Tuesday. Marín, a key figure in Spain’s integration into Europe, later held various positions within the College of Commissioners before becoming Vice President of the European Commission from 1986 to 1999.
The President of Castilla-La Mancha, Emiliano García-Page; the Vice President of the Junta, José Manuel Caballero; his widow, Carmen Ortiz; among other authorities, family members, colleagues, and friends of Marín such as former Vice President of the European Commission and Minister, Joaquín Almunia, and former President of Castilla-La Mancha, José María Barreda, participated in this emotional event held in a park named after him.
The gathering remembered Marín as the mastermind behind Spain’s entry into the then European Economic Community and as the driving force behind the Erasmus program, a symbol of a borderless Europe that promotes youth, knowledge, and coexistence.
During his speech, Emiliano García-Page vigorously defended Marín’s Europeanist legacy and warned of those who are now questioning that model.
«It was not about uniting countries, but about uniting people,» emphasized the regional president, highlighting that the Europe Marín fought for is a project of human integration, not just institutional.
García-Page used the tribute to emphasize the value of consensus and political understanding, contrasting with those who question Spain’s membership in the European Union today.
«What some attack or deny today, even want to break, is precisely what the Spanish people were clear about when they decided to bet on Europe,» he said, recalling that even ETA, with its violence, was aware that «the best thing that could happen to Spain was Europe,» mentioning the three fateful attacks that occurred on the same day Spain and Portugal signed their accession to the European Economic Community.
The President of Castilla-La Mancha warned of the risk of the European project weakening due to the actions of extreme political forces, as well as a lack of leadership and vision.
«Many people only see something to gain from Europe, but they fail to understand that we are not just in Europe, we are Europe,» he concluded.
García-Page closed his speech by stating, «We must defend Manuel’s Europe,» not only as political leaders but as citizens aware of the value of belonging to the largest space of democracy, freedom, and rights in the world.
«I wonder what Manuel Marín would be thinking when hearing certain speeches denying Europe. And I have a clear answer,» he criticized those who, to affirm their Spanish identity, «deny themselves as Europeans,» something he deemed «absurd.»
The event also featured journalist Asunción Valdés, a personal friend of Marín, who traced his career from the 1970s when he started working in Brussels to his years as Vice President of the Commission.
She recalled that Marín «managed to launch the Erasmus program» and that his push for healthcare cooperation in Europe «laid the groundwork for vaccines to be distributed in a coordinated manner during the pandemic.»
Also present was his widow, Carmen Ortiz, who, visibly moved, recalled the more humane and negotiator side of the politician from Ciudad Real, describing him as «rigorous, serious, but always willing to let others speak.»
TRANSFORMED THE REALITY OF SPAIN AND CASTILLA-LA MANCHA
The event also saw speeches from the second Vice President of the regional government, José Manuel Caballero, and the Mayor of Ciudad Real, Francisco Cañizares.
Caballero highlighted that Marín embodied «commitment, nobility, and generosity in politics,» and that thanks to his work, «joining the EU transformed the reality of Spain and Castilla-La Mancha.»
He emphasized the need to protect the European model from the risks of extremism and called for the continued defense of «Manuel’s Europe,» based on the values of democracy, equality, and solidarity among peoples.
Cañizares, on his part, emphasized the historical significance of an event that «changed the life of our country,» stressing that Marín «never forgot his origins, his friends, or his city,» and highlighting his key role in European construction.