Pedro Sánchez: "We will not renounce our principles and values, which are those of the Constitution"

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Madrid

During his speech, Pedro Sánchez referred to the increasingly turbulent and uncertain world, in which the foundations of the international order established in 1945 are being challenged more intensely than ever. "Spain will always be on the side of the defence of our principles and values. Principles and values enshrined in the Spanish Constitution. Principles and values which, even if the wind blows against us, we will not renounce", stressed the President of the Government.

In this respect, President Sánchez added that now is the time to defend them with more impetus and conviction. "An increasingly hostile and antagonistic world will not alter our roadmap. On the contrary, Spain will work more resolutely to build a better and fairer world", he stressed.

The President looked over some of the symptoms of the erosion of the established international order. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the spread of armed conflicts and warmongering rhetoric, as well as the growing erosion of international law and international humanitarian law, warning that more and more actors are resorting to the use of force and that impunity is gaining ground while crimes are committed "before the eyes of an anaesthetised international community".

The head of the Executive also highlighted the head-on questioning of democracy in many countries around the world as a symptom of the erosion of the international system: "It is unquestionable that a world with less democracy will always be more insecure and unstable. Today, more than ever, to defend democracy is to defend peace.

Finally, he highlighted the uncertainty that also affects the multilateral system and stressed that it is a system in need of deep reforms, which is under attack in the commercial and financial spheres, but also in the political sphere.

"This is the world we live in: a more insecure, closed and anarchic world, with democracy beset by hybrid attacks and disinformation. A world in which there are two possible positions: either to be dragged down by inertia or to actively and courageously defend the values in which we believe", he remarked. Faced with this dilemma, the President of the Government argued that "it is precisely now when it is most necessary to stand up for these values.

"Spain is not closing in on itself, as more and more countries are doing. Spain is opening up to the world. And it does so with determination. With conviction. With ambition. With vocation. With a firm will to lead", said Pedro Sánchez, while at the same time highlighting Spain's credentials to make itself heard.

He referred to the extraordinary economic growth the country is currently experiencing, leading growth in all advanced economies, with record levels of employment and with the creation of 500,000 jobs in the last year alone. "We inspire and deserve confidence as never before," said the President of the Government.

For this reason, Pedro Sánchez has asked the ambassadors to talk about the success of Spain's economic and social model. "I want them to be proud when they talk about the great transformation of Spain. Because what we are doing as a country is simply admirable. And recognising this is not an act of arrogance, but of justice, because Spain deserves it".

Similarly, the President referred to Spain as the voice of coherence in a world where the Global South denounces hypocrisy. Sánchez emphasised that "we are coherent, when we say the same thing everywhere in terms of human rights, climate justice or denouncing non-compliance with international law".

He also conveyed consistency in the dignified treatment of all countries and regions; in the defence of multilateralism; and in the belief in international relations in which territorial integrity and the inviolability of borders are not questioned.

Pedro Sánchez advocated defending coherence with courage and gave the example of Spain's recognition of the State of Palestine in 2024. For this reason, he stressed that our country has what it takes to project a solid and effective foreign policy, and he referred to the four priority axes that should govern Spain's action abroad.

Commitment to the European Union

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech at the IX Conference of Ambassadors | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government defended Spain's commitment to the European Union, and pointed out that Spain's accession to the EU was a decisive milestone for the transformation and modernisation of our country. "Europe is the best thing that has happened to our country in centuries of history".

Pedro Sánchez also stressed that Europe is a community of values and a beacon of freedom and democracy in the world. "That is why it faces such powerful enemies who want it weak and disunited. And that is why it is time to stand up for Europe," he said.

The President stressed that Europe must strengthen its ability to compete in an increasingly complex world, while at the same time increasing its strategic autonomy, boosting its internal market in key sectors and addressing the chronic lack of finance for business.

In this respect, Sánchez stressed that "Europe is stronger than we think" and highlighted the assets of the European project, while stressing that strengthening Europe's capacity in the world involves supporting the enlargement process and revitalising alliances with other regions.

He also stressed that Europe must meet the challenge of its security in a world of growing threats by strengthening the security and defence industry. "Europe must wake up at last. In such a world, it is not enough to adapt to geopolitical realities. Europe must be able to become stronger in order to influence these realities and defend its interests and values", the President said, while alluding to the fact that he would never share or encourage a militaristic drift that "would lead us into a new arms race".

Pedro Sánchez stressed that Spain believes in peace and diplomacy and defended the fact that security goes far beyond defence spending, also alluding to climate security and the need to prepare to combat its effects, as has happened in Valencia.

Commitment to an open economy

The second major priority of Spain's external action is the commitment to an open economy. The President of the Government conveyed the importance of "defending the need to open up even more to international trade; but demanding reciprocity and a level playing field that guarantees criteria of justice, equity and sustainability".

"We must take advantage of the protectionist shift in many large economies to build new bridges, and increase our weight in global trade," he added. Furthermore, he stressed the need to strengthen multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organisation, the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank, to modernise them, update them and provide them with resources to make them more efficient and effective.

Strengthening bilateral relations with key regions and countries

The President pointed out that, in the complex global context, Spain wants to continue deepening and strengthening the strategic relationship with the United States and the transatlantic link.

Sánchez referred to the decisive importance of the relationship that Spain and the European Union maintain with Latin America and highlighted the value of the agreement reached with Mercosur as an instrument for strengthening the economic security of the Union, as well as Spain's hosting of the 30th Ibero-American Summit in 2026 to maintain the momentum of this strategic forum.

"The relationship with the Maghreb, the Sahel and the Mediterranean basin are essential pillars of our foreign policy," the President stressed, and highlighted the value of a renewed impetus in the continent-wide Africa Strategy, to strengthen relations with the countries of the region.

With regard to Asia, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the region's growing economic and geopolitical weight. Accordingly, the President stressed the urgency of closer ties and cooperation in areas of common interest, and announced the publication of a continent-specific Strategy. In this regard, he referred to powers such as China and India, actors with which Spain wants to develop ties and promote close relations.

Strong support for multilateralism and its necessary reforms

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, at the opening of the high-level session of the IX Conference of Ambassadors | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The head of the Executive argued the need for strong and efficient multilateral institutions to tackle global challenges such as climate change or digital transformation.

Pedro Sánchez warned that mistrust in the multilateral system is only increasing, while stressing that defending multilateralism requires commitment to reforming institutions that risk becoming obsolete, and the duty to make them more inclusive, transparent and effective.

The President referred to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development in Seville as a unique opportunity to demonstrate that the system can work and must be strengthened.

He also called for the maximum involvement and full commitment of the foreign service to achieve an ambitious outcome during the Conference. He also made reference to other important international events and milestones for Spain as a sign of Spain's commitment to effective multilateralism at the service of the people. In this respect, he stressed that the commitment is materialised in many other areas, such as the role of the Armed Forces and the State Security Forces and Corps in peace missions and operations.

Non official translation