Mikel Landabaso, director of the Joint Research Centre of the European Commission in Seville, describes the European aid received by Andalusia over 40 years as 'historic', although he warns that challenges in social cohesion persist.
The director of the Joint Research Centre (JRC) of the European Commission in Seville, Mikel Landabaso, stated that the investment from the European Union in Andalusia has been so transformative that it can be compared to a 'Marshall Plan'. He made this remark during his speech at the summer course celebrating 40 years of Andalusia in Europe, organised by the International University of Andalusia in La Rábida.
Landabaso, who leads a scientific platform with 450 researchers in Seville, highlighted that European funds have enabled unprecedented modernisation in sectors such as transport, agri-food, and industry. "The investment managed in Andalusia is historic, comparable to the Marshall Plan for Europe," he asserted.
Lights and Shadows of Andalusian Development
Despite the success in infrastructure, the expert warned that progress has not been uniform. "Andalusia still ranks in the mid-low range of the European Social Progress Index," he pointed out, indicating that a significant portion of the population remains at risk of poverty, above the national average. For Landabaso, "the challenge now is to ensure that the same intensity of investment translates into more well-being and not just more absorbed funds."
The course, sponsored by the Junta de Andalucía and in collaboration with the European Parliament, also served to highlight the persistent inequalities in the region. Landabaso insisted that infrastructure alone does not guarantee social equity, and that additional efforts in inclusion policies are necessary.
A Rising Technological Ecosystem
On the positive side, Landabaso emphasised the progress in innovation and the creation of a technological ecosystem that now ranks among the top five in Spain, with Seville and Málaga as key centres. "Andalusia is building a productive hub that attracts talent, although it still does not retain the most qualified professionals like other regions," he clarified.
The JRC director believes that the infrastructure is in place, but the next step is to "build well-being with the same ambition." To achieve this, it is essential that the next European funds focus on quality employment and social inclusion, beyond mere capital absorption.
Global Threats and the Role of the EU
Landabaso also warned of a complicated international environment that could affect Andalusian cohesion. "The rules-based order is breaking down, with globalisation advancing in blocks and new trade tensions," he indicated. Among the threats mentioned were tariffs, blockades in the Strait of Hormuz, the rise of artificial intelligence, and the impacts of climate change in southern Europe.
To mitigate these challenges, the expert proposed that the EU incorporate a new dimension into its socioeconomic balance: "security and resilience, something that until recently was not part of the European economic debate." This vision, he noted, should translate into concrete policies that protect regions like Andalusia from global turbulence.
The summer course, held in La Rábida, will continue to analyse the impact of the EU on the autonomous community, with the participation of experts and institutional representatives. For attendees, Landabaso's reflection makes it clear that, although the progress made is impressive, much remains to be done to ensure that the benefits reach all Andalusians.
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