Tony Blair rounded off a 24-hour trip to Madrid with a call for the British and Spanish economies to raise their game in the face of world competition.
The Prime Minister spoke on the steps of his hotel following a breakfast meeting with his Spanish counterpart, Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and business leaders from both countries.
"The economies of Spain and Britain have been successful over the years in terms of growth, in terms of jobs, in terms of enterprise and industry," Mr Blair said.
"But we know for the future we need to do more."
Representatives from Barclays, Vodafone, British Petroleum and British Airways were among those to share their concerns with the two premiers.
Mr Blair said they stressed the need for innovation, research and development and "creating the kind of flexible and enterprising economies which enable us to compete with the change happening around us".
He went on: "We know that at each stage we need to up our game, become even more competitive, more successful and ensure the job opportunities are there for the people of the future."
After shaking hands with Mr Zapatero outside the Santo Mauro Hotel, near the British Embassy in Madrid, Mr Blair was set to fly back to the UK.
Mr Blair's comments brought to a close what could be his last official trip to the Spanish capital before he leaves office.
Apparently mindful of the fact, Mr Zapatero wished him "all the best in his public and private life" at a joint press conference.
