During the presentation, which was also attended by the President of the Centre for Global Economics and Geopolitics of ESADE and former High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Javier Solana, and the Secretary-General for Defence Policy, Luis Cuesta Civis, the Minister for Defence said that defence and diplomacy "are the two sides of a single coin because both serve the same purpose: foreign policy". She also said that "an effective response to threats to our security must be comprehensive, it must include all the players and all the instruments we have available to us".
Carme Chacón highlighted that this project generates "rationality and recognition" because it "clearly establishes the framework for action, a system is created for the instruments, objectives and priorities for the bilateral relations engaged in by the Minister of Defence and because it enables the public to become aware of and understand an essential, although not always visible, part of our work". "Under the Defence Diplomacy Plan", she concluded, "we are ensuring that our military personnel, our diplomats and other public servants are all marching to the same beat in the defence of our interests".
The President of the Centre for Global Economics and Geopolitics of ESADE and former High Representative for the Common Foreign and Security Policy of the European Union, Javier Solana, highlighted the "important role that has been played by the Armed Forces in foreign affairs, as well as in diplomacy and cooperation".
He also pointed out that Spain has been one of the first countries to implement a plan that other countries will also need to implement in the future.
For his part, the Secretary-General for Defence Policy, Luís Cuesta Civis, said that this first Defence Diplomacy Plan has been drafted in parallel with the Spanish Security Strategy that was approved by the Council of Ministers on 24 June. "A strategy", he said, "with which it shares purpose and objectives".
The Defence Diplomacy Plan
The Defence Diplomacy Plan is a document drafted in coordination with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation pursuant to the content of National Defence and Defence Policy Guidelines. The plan aims to optimise and streamline the available efforts and resources used for Defence Diplomacy action so it may be adapted to Defence Policy priorities in support of State action abroad.
It is an essential tool for guaranteeing coordinated action by all the players involved in Spanish foreign policy and thus helping ensure a safer, more prosperous and fairer world.
Ministerio de Defensa