Pedro Sánchez: "The success of Spanish democracy is a great resource for asserting Spain's influence in Europe and the world"

Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Madrid

Pedro Sánchez stressed the importance of reflecting on Spain's place in the world today, highlighting four factors that explain the complexity we are facing: uncertainty on a global scale; profound changes in global power dynamics; the growing erosion of the guiding principles of the international order; and the polarisation of our societies, caused by the rise of ultras groups. "So far this century, the number of autocratic regimes has grown by 20%, and democracies are regressing to 1986 levels," the president explained, stressing that the world is currently at a crossroads and that the very survival of democracy is at stake. In this regard, he asked the ambassadors to represent a Spain which, above all, defends the universality of human rights, multilateralism and the international order based on rules.

He also emphasised that our country is clearly and resolutely committed to peace and solidarity, social justice and freedom, and is a flag bearer of gender equality and the defence of LGTBI rights. Furthermore, he stressed that Spain is today a self-confident country that accepts both its political plurality and its territorial diversity, while at the same time practising dialogue, negotiation and agreement.

In this regard, President Sánchez pointed out that, unlike what happened a decade ago, coexistence is progressing in Spain in the midst of differences and intense debates within the framework of the Constitution. "This success of Spanish democracy is a great resource for asserting Spain's influence in Europe and the world," he said.

The President of the Government referred to the four main strategic axes that should govern Spain's action abroad in 2024. First, our commitment to multilateralism, global peace and security. In this respect, he stressed that the more than 3,000 Spanish soldiers deployed in missions of the EU, the UN and NATO are our best letter of introduction, highlighting recent milestones such as the Madrid Summit in NATO in 2022 and the European Political Community Summit, held in Granada in 2023. Second, President Sánchez pointed to our solidarity, recalling that at the height of the pandemic, we donated more than 70 million vaccines and that, faced with the humanitarian crisis caused by the war in Ukraine, our country responded by granting temporary protection to more than 185,000 Ukrainian refugees. Third, he addressed the fight concerning the climate emergency, stressing that Spain is already a global benchmark, as was made clear at the COP in Dubai.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, inaugurates the VIII Conference of Ambassadors | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Last, he referred to the promotion of our business fabric abroad, stressing that it is one of our greatest strengths and that we have companies that are recognised throughout the world as global leaders in strategic sectors. "Foreign investment in Spain amounted to €2.12 billion in the first nine months of 2023, an increase of 7% compared to the average for the 2018-22 period," stressed the Prime Minister, who defended that these figures illustrate that Spain is a country open as never before to foreign investment.

President Sánchez also addressed the conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine, underlining that while they are very different in their causes and triggers, they have in common the fact that they both call into question the essential values and basic rules of international coexistence. Furthermore, he stressed that lives and human rights are at stake in both Gaza and Ukraine. "The essential aspect that guides Spain's position in both cases can be summed up in one word: coherence", he assured, reiterating that Spain will continue to support Ukraine, and that the only possible response is to vindicate the validity of the values and principles of the United Nations Charter.

With regard to Gaza, he reiterated Spain's position, which recognises Israel's right to defend itself in accordance with international law and international humanitarian law, calling for the immediate and unconditional release of all hostages by Hamas, and appealing to values and principles in view of the situation in Gaza. In this respect, he pointed out that the only possible way forward is through dialogue and a lasting political solution based on the solution of two states, Palestine and Israel, living side by side in peace and security.

The President of the Government also referred to regional priorities, emphasising our country's pro-European vocation. "We are pro-European out of national interest, and out of conviction. Because it is good for Spain. And because it is where Spain has always wanted to be", he stressed. He emphasised that the election of Nadia Calviño as the first woman to head the European Investment Bank (EIB), together with Josep Borrell at the helm of the EU vice-presidency and foreign policy, illustrate that Spain is now perceived as "a wellspring of Europeanism". In addition, he recalled the main milestones of the Spanish Presidency and the record number of dossiers approved during the six months in key areas such as open strategic autonomy, ecological transition, social and economic justice and Artificial Intelligence.

Family photo of the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, along with the participants in the VIII Conference of Ambassadors | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

He also referred to Spain's relations with the main world powers. The president assured that with the US there is a shared will to deepen priorities such as the diversification of value chains, the development of a human framework for Artificial Intelligence and migration. With China, Spain shares the EU's vision of how to approach relations with Beijing.

With regard to Latin America and the Caribbean, President Sánchez recalled Spain's obligation to live up to the historical and cultural ties that unite us, calling for the relationship to continue to be given new life and to overcome inertia. In this respect, milestones such as the holding of the EU-CELAC Summit and the progress made under the Spanish Presidency in the EU's negotiations with MERCOSUR, have been welcomed.

He also addressed Spain's relations with North Africa. "With Morocco we have opened a new chapter in the bilateral relationship," said the president, stressing that the degree of solidity and trust the relationship has reached needs to be further consolidated. He also stressed that we have close ties with Algeria, which is why Spain will continue to work to maintain the best possible relations with this strategic partner.

President Sánchez stressed that Spain will continue to work to strengthen forums such as the Union for the Mediterranean, highlighting the fact that cooperation with many Arab and African countries is marked by the shared challenge of orderly and safe migration. Last, he addressed the situation in the Sahel, lamenting that the coups d'état in Niger and, beyond the Sahel, in Gabon, mean that Mauritania is now the only democracy in the region.

"We must continue to promote maximum collaboration with the countries of Sub-Saharan Africa to face the regional and global challenges that affect us," the President of the Government stressed, recalling that we must not lose sight of the fact that Africa is a continent full of opportunities, due to its strong demographic growth, its potential role in developing strategic value chains and its business dynamism. "Africa's voice must carry more weight in the resolution of global issues," he stressed.

Non official translation