The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, stressed the pioneering role of Spain in the recognition of the Palestinian Stateopening the way for other Member States to follow this example.
In addition, it qualifies the Russian incursions on countries of the Union as “a clear provocation” and highlights the need for a firm and unitary response to these violations of sovereignty. The minister also addresses the next Ibero -American Summit that will be held in Madrid, where Spain will focus on the ecological and digital transition, the strengthening of Ibero -American cooperation and the creation of a common space of knowledge and digital rights, thus consolidating the role of Spain in relations between Europe and Latin America.
The president of the Government announced the sending of a military ship from Cartagena to support the humanitarian flotilla that is directed to Gaza. What is the point of this military mission? In addition, we know that the Italian government took a similar measure.
We are talking about a mission that is completely humanitarian and peaceful. Its only objective is to deliver humanitarian aid to the Gazatis, since Israel has imposed an absolute blockade on the strip. The members of this mission are peaceful and humanitarian people; They do not represent any threat to Israel.
Of course, from the first moment, I have said that they have all the consular and diplomatic protection of the Government of Spain, both of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Mine Personal and Minister.
We are seeing too many incidents and attacks reported in the area, And that is why we have decided to send a ship from the Spanish Navy to any possible incident or the need to rescue someone or serve our citizens.
A few days ago, along with another 16 foreign ministers from countries whose nationals are aboard those shipswe made it clear that, in case of any incident, aggression or that the free navigation that is collected in international law, those who commit these acts must be rendered before the international justice.
In the Gaza conflict, the Spanish government was one of the first states to recognize the Palestinian State as a solution to the situation. Spain has also led the position of suspending the commercial agreement between the European Union and Israel. Do you think the international community has followed the steps of Spain? And within the European Union, still lack of unity?
Without a doubt, Spain is leading. At first, when we did the recognition of the state of Palestine, there were those who said we were alone, but now it is clear that we were not alone. We were pioneers, opening the way, and quickly followed by other countries such as Slovenia, Norway and Ireland. Now, even permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, such as France or the United Kingdom, and European countries such as Portugal, as well as others from different continents such as Canada or Australia, have taken similar positions.
Regarding the suspension of the Association Agreement between Israel and the European Union, Spain was the first to request it immediately and total. Today, we are already a majority of Member States that we recognize the State of Palestine, which must have an impact on the European Union. In addition, we are a majority who support the partial suspension of the agreement. Spain would like it to be total, and therefore I have asked the high representative to move on to a formal vote to verify if there is already a qualified majority to apply these sanctions.
Without a doubt, Spain is being the country that is doing the most to stop this endless violence in Gaza and for there to be a realistic and viable Palestinian state. We are exercising clear leadership in Europe, defending the fundamental values that constitute the basis of European construction, and we are doing it to save the honor and dignity of Europe.
Let’s move on to the second conflict that has been in Ukraine for more than three years. The Russian invasion has had news in recent weeks, such as the aerial incursions of Russian military drones and fighters on the airspace of Poland, Romania and Estonia. We have also had two incidents during the trips of President von der Leyen to Bulgaria, whose communications system was hacked, and the same happened with the Spanish Defense Minister on her trip to Lithuania. Are we facing a new phase in the conflict? Is this a qualitative leap?
They are clear provocations and flagrant violations of the sovereignty and airspace of European Union member countries and NATO allies. Our answer has to be firm and unitary. We must not fall into provocations, but neither in Inaction.
What is clear is that the security of Europeans is indivisible security. Spain actively participates in the safety of the east flank of NATO, With almost 3,000 soldiers, and we will further reinforce our participation. This is one more proof that Russia does not seek peace, but is in a continuous attempt of provocation and climbing.
Do you worry that this unit that has maintained the European Union regarding the defense of Ukraine in the conflict can crack, not only from the political point of view, but also in European public opinions?
I see no risk of disunity. We are all aware that a war of aggression cannot have a reward for the aggressor, because we would not solve anything. If we allow that, the world would be more insecure and would be emboldened to the aggressor, which would continue to attack.
This morning, together with the president of the Government, we had an encounter with President Zelenski, in which we reiterated all our support. That support is clear on the part of all the members of the European Union, because we all understand that Europe’s security is at stake, which is closely linked to the security of Ukraine, and our values are also at stake. We must not forget that what probably does not forgive Ukraine is their desire to be part of the European Union, that is, to be a democracy, a tolerant and diverse society.
In this high voltage world, with two conflicts of great gravity, uncertainty and polarization, the links between the European Union and Latin America have gained greater prominence and have become more necessary than ever. Next year, Spain will house the thirtieth Ibero -American Summit. What agenda and what priorities does the Government of Spain have for this summit?
Spain is a key piece in the relationship between Europe and Latin America, and in everything that the Ibero -American community represents. The ties with Latin America are not just a matter of foreign policy for us; They are part of how we are, how we feel and how we project ourselves in the world. I firmly believe in a genuine way of being and projecting in the world that is Latin American.
We have been fundamental, during our presidency, to carry the relationship between Europe and Latin America, between the European Union and CELAC, to its maximum point. We are a few weeks after a new summit in Colombia, and this morning I was in a meeting between CELAC foreign ministers and foreign ministers of the European Union. Tomorrow, in addition, we have a breakfast of Ibero -American Foreign Affairs, since Spain holds the Pro Tempore Secretariat.
This is a decisive moment to strengthen ties not only between Spain and Latin America, but also between Europe and Latin Americabecause we finally have the appropriate financial instrument: the global gateway. That fund, which was created precisely to strengthen the relationship between the European Union and Latin America during our presidency, is key at this complex moment.
We live in a scenario where there are those who bet on unilateral responses to global problems, where multilateralism and peace are challenged. In that context, both Europeans and Latin Americans share the same values: peace, belief in the United Nations in this week of the General Assembly in New York, multilateralism and cooperation. We firmly believe that cooperation is always stronger than confrontation.
This is what our Pro Tempore Secretariat of the Ibero -American Community defines and what the Ibero -American Summit in Madrid will guide next year: A reinforcement and reaffirmation of the Ibero -American community as a permanent forum for dialogue and cooperation against unilateral and confrontation temptations.
We live a double transformation: ecological, towards sustainability, and digital. In this framework of relations between the European Union and Latin America, and at the next Ibero -American Summit, what can Spain and Europe offer to Latin America so that this double transition is carried out equitably, balanced and fairly in the continent?
Clearly, financial support. The European Union, at this time, has the financial muscle necessary to support us in this regard. Second, it is essential to complete all trade agreements with Mexico, Chile and Mercosur, to create markets that are beneficial for both regions.
As for Spain, during the Ibero -American Summit, we have clear objectives. One of them is to develop civil protection mechanisms, Especially now that climate change is hardly affecting both Spain, as we saw with fires this summer, as to Latin America, with phenomena such as floods. There is much that we can share and learn each other.
Another key point is the creation of an Ibero -American Digital Rights Charter. We must work to ensure that this letter achieves its whole potential. And finally, a fundamental pillar of our agenda will be mobility. We want to facilitate the mobility of students and teachers, enable titles and create a common knowledge space.
You meet frequently and have conversations with the Latin American foreign ministers and with ambassadors in Spain of their respective countries. What climate has perceived in the face of the thirtieth Ibero -American summit? How do you see the relationships and disposition to that dialogue, increasingly essential?
At the moment, we are all clear that the unity and the strengthening of cooperation between Spain and Latin America, with Portugal and Andorra too, They are fundamental within the Ibero -American community. Within the framework of the European Union Forum-Celac, at the level of the Birregional relationship, this cooperation will be key to dealing with the enormous challenges we have ahead, such as that transition we mentioned, but also the world-instability and the replicues we are seeing in the commercial sphere.
The current climate, therefore, is to reaffirm that dialogue and that agreement. One of the mandates of the Spanish Pro Tempore Secretariat, in the face of the Ibero -American Summit, It is to reaffirm our system and improve dialogue channels, to ensure that we can continue advancing and making decisions effectively. We want to create a new Ibero -American Cooperation Plan, which will be one of the great achievements of the coming years, and expand our collaboration areas.
We also want to advance in civil protection, with the creation of an Latin American mechanism in this areaand continue to deepen the authorization of academic titles to create an Ibero -American Community of Knowledge.
Besides, We will continue working in the Ibero -American Charter of Digital Rights and make sure that Iberoamerica has a unified voice in international forumsas we did at the Conference on Financing to the Development of Seville, so that our region can weigh as others do in the world.
*Special collaboration
