Spain's Prime Minister elect has put Europe at the centre of his investiture speech and called for unity against the threat of terrorism.

Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero said Spain would forge closer ties with its European counterparts as it pushes to make up for mistakes made by the outgoing government. As expected, he told Congress that Spain will withdraw its troops from Iraq at the end of June but he repeated his caveat that they could remain if the United Nations became involved.

The Spanish Socialist leader also pledged to do everything possible to ensure the European Constitution is ratified by the end of the Irish Presidency because "what's good for Europe is good for Spain," he said, adding that the agreement could be signed in Madrid in tribute to the victims of last month's train bombings. Ireland holds the EU presidency until June 30. The first round parliamentary vote on whether to accept Rodriguez Zapatero as the head of Spain's government will take place after all parties have responded to and debated his speech.

EuroNews.net