The Diplomat
In his traditional annual address to the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Madrid, His Majesty the King said yesterday that Spain advocates a reform of the global health system to provide the World Health Organization (WHO) with greater warning, preparedness, supervision and assistance capabilities.
The event, held at the Royal Palace, was marked by the situation caused by COVID-19, both in the celebration and in the words spoken, first by Monsignor Bernardito Auza -Nuncio of His Holiness and dean of the Diplomatic Corps-, and then by Felipe VI.
Monsignor Bernardito Auza remembered those who died of the coronavirus and praised the work of the health and security forces. After referring to the consequences of the pandemic, he said that “Spain can count on its proven spirit of overcoming and its European commitment”.
In his speech, the King, who was accompanied by the Queen, had words of gratitude and remembrance, praising in particular the work done by diplomats around the world during the pandemic “helping many citizens” and contributing “in many cases to save lives”.
Don Felipe said that the situation we are experiencing has highlighted “the interdependence between all peoples and citizens of the Earth and has reminded us of the importance of multilateralism” to address current challenges, among which he mentioned climate change, inequality and poverty.
In this sense, he pointed out that Spain’s commitment to multilateralism and to the United Nations in the context of the pandemic has manifested itself with an increase in our voluntary contributions to organizations such as the High Commissioner for Refugees, the World Food Programme, the International Organization for Migration and the World Health Organization (WHO).
And referring to the WHO, he said that it is “an absolute priority for Spain”. For this reason, our country -he indicated- advocates “a reform of the global health system that makes it more efficient and inclusive, in which the WHO plays a central role that articulates the different initiatives in health matters”.” This reform should improve the Organization’s warning, preparedness, monitoring and assistance capabilities,” he added.
The King said that in the face of the current crisis, it is necessary to “oppose an even greater will to overcome” and “look to the future with renewed ambition“. “If this crisis has been a brake on our progress, we are obliged to recover the path with a redoubled effort,” he said.
For this “immense task”, according to Felipe VI, “the coordinated union of efforts is a fundamental tool”. In this sense, he assured those present that Spain will always be there for them, “as a partner firmly committed to the international community”.
Later she reiterated that the defense of Human Rights will continue to be a defining element of Spain’s foreign policy, demonstrated -she said- with the “active presence in the main international forums” on the subject, as well as with the promotion and protection of the rights of women and girls, “also a fundamental pillar”.
“Gender equality and the participation of women in all spheres of society continues to be a fundamental challenge of our time that has been aggravated” by the pandemic, said the Monarch, who warned of the risk of worsening the pre-existing inequalities in this area.
Don Felipe also reviewed the different geographical areas and the particular interests in each of them. He took the opportunity to congratulate the new U.S. President, Joe Biden, and expressed his conviction that bilateral relations “will be strengthened and enriched”.
Speaking of the European Union, he acknowledged that it faces “great challenges” and stressed that 2021 is determined by “the priority of vaccination” but also of solidarity to “mitigate the economic impact” of the pandemic.
The King conveyed Spain’s support to Portugal, which holds the rotating presidency of the EU in the first half of the year, noting that he shares with the neighboring country “the commitment to advance in the development of the European social pillar.” “Only in this way will we be able to achieve a truly inclusive recovery,” he emphasized.
As for the United Kingdom, betting on “a new relationship” after Brexit, and on a “permanent dialogue in pursuit of shared interests and objectives.”
With regard to Ibero-America, he stressed that “in the face of adversity we have strengthened our ties even more” and reviewed the various appointments and events in the region in 2021. Among these, he alluded to the Ibero-American Summit in Andorra, in a year that marks the thirtieth anniversary of the beginning of the Summit System.
He also expressed Spain’s desire to “actively accompany” the celebration of the bicentennials of independence that Mexico, Peru and Central American countries will celebrate this year.
Don Felipe expressly mentioned the Maghreb, hoping that “the agenda of meetings” with Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, as well as the Middle East, can be “resumed soon”. Regarding the latter, he recalled that it is 30 years since the Madrid Peace Conference and expressed his wish that the “spirit” of that meeting be “recovered” and that Palestinians and Israelis be able to resume negotiations with a view to a two-state solution.
As for Africa, he assured that it is increasingly present in Spanish foreign policy and that it offers great opportunities, although there are still “great challenges”, in particular the persistence of conflicts and violence in areas such as the Horn of Africa or the Sahel. With regard to Asia, he highlighted the growing interest in this continent in Spanish language and culture.
A ceremony with restrictions
As The Diplomat reported, the ceremony was held with restrictions due to the pandemic. Thus, the number of attendees at the reception was reduced to just over a hundred, after only heads of mission and representatives of international organizations accredited and resident in Spain, who were not accompanied by their spouses, were invited.
In addition, to ensure compliance with the rules against COVID-19, the guests were distributed in different rooms.
Among those in attendance were the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya; the four State Secretaries of this department; the Undersecretary of the Ministry; and the Director of the Cervantes Institute.
The ceremony opened with a greeting to the King and Queen by the guests in the Gasparini Salette, which Don Felipe commented jokingly, at the end, that it had been “the briefest for sure”, since the ambassadors and representatives passed, in an agile way, making in the great majority of the cases a quick nod of the head.
Afterwards, the speeches took place in the Throne Room where Sánchez, González Laya and the rest of the senior officials were present, as well as 23 ambassadors and heads of mission, including representatives of international organizations such as the SEGIB, the WTO or the Union for the Mediterranean, as well as those who presented their credentials beforehand, although also taking into account the criterion of neighborhood, as explained by the Royal House.
As part of the measures adopted against COVID-19, the temperature of all attendees was taken at the access points to the Royal Palace, who had to use hydroalcoholic gel before entering, and remained at all times with masks and keeping safety distances.
