The Diplomat in Spain

The North American destroyer USS Cook.

Julio García. Madrid.

The Spanish public shipyard company Navantia is currently carrying out repairs and the maintenance of the North American destroyer USS Cook in the Base of Rota (Cádiz). Yesterday, the Ambassador of the United States, James Costos, along with a delegation of the Senate and the Congress of this North American country, witnessed these works. The president of the Commission of Defence of the Spanish Senate, Santiago López Valdivieso, represented Spain on this occasion.

About 400 operators of Navantia are working on these repairs and the maintenance of the USS Cook, one of the North American destroyers, which are part of the NATO’s antimissile defence and are already established in this base.

This Spanish shipyard is short-listed for the competition to develop the repairs of the VI Fleet’s flagship, the USS Mount Whitney, with base in Italy, according to union sources, which highlight that the maintenance of these destroyers is important for Navantia, because it makes them hold better positions when accessing other contracts.

During the visit, James Costos and Tim Kaine, senator of Virginia who led the parliamentary delegation of the USA, pointed out the joint work developed in this base for the strengthening of the bilateral relations and the maintenance of the peace and the order in the world. This military enclave, which has been of joint use for 60 years, has started the installation of the NATO’s antimissile defence, which reflects the excellent relationship uniting both countries.

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North American members of the Congress and the Senate visited the naval base yesterday

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Kaine commented that this visit will help the delegation of members of the Congress to explain in their country “the importance” of the relations between the USA and Spain and that, as well as for the past, the base of Rota is “important” for the future.

The North American Ambassador, for his part, celebrated that the relations in this base benefit the Andalusian economy, and especially the localities being closer, such as Rota or El Puerto de Santa María, where, according to what he said, sectors such as that of restaurants or the one of construction are increasing their business with the presence of the North American military staff and their families.