Every nation tries to protect industries it considers strategic. No government should neglect any resource it has to protect interests it considers legitimate and within law.

We will defend the legality of the measures we have taken. We think they are in line with European law. Our government attorneys will reply to the European Union's request in that vein.

The takeover is creating uncertainty for an industry which at the moment is working well in Spain. The lack of an industrial plan heightens this.

Every country wants leading companies. Why should Spain renounce its right to one?

The interests at stake exceed what are conventionally called market interests.

The government won't be able to meet its 5.3 percent growth target. We would be happy if we could duplicate what we have achieved in the first half.