The Diplomat
The government yesterday conveyed a “message of certainty” to citizens that their safety is guaranteed in the face of the latest events in Ukraine, where Russia carried out bombing raids on Kiev and other major cities.
At the press conference following the Council of Ministers to give an account of the matters discussed, the minister spokesperson, Isabel Rodríguez, also reported on the fourth meeting held by the National Security Council, at La Moncloa Palace, under the presidency of the head of the Executive, Pedro Sánchez.
“We are deeply concerned about the intensification of attacks” by Vladimir Putin’s forces and “the terrible bombardments against the civilian population”, said Rodríguez, after indicating that during the meeting the war and its consequences in the energy, military and diplomatic spheres were discussed.
“On behalf of the government, we convey a message of certainty to the Spanish public”, the spokeswoman said, assuring that “events continue to be analysed rigorously” and the necessary measures are being adopted to “minimise risks to our society”.
She also indicated that “in these days, the definition of national security, understood as State action aimed at protecting the freedom, rights and well-being of citizens” and also to “guarantee the defence of Spain and constitutional principles and values”, takes on special relevance.
According to Rodríguez, national defence also involves “contributing together with partners and allies to international security in the fulfilment of the commitments undertaken”, in reference to Sánchez’s commitment to allocate 2% of GDP to Defence by 2027-29 acquired with NATO.
In a statement issued by Moncloa, it is noted that at the meeting an evaluation report was presented on the functioning between January 2021 and June of this year of the national cybersecurity strategy; and another one on the development of the National Security System.
The meeting was attended by the Second Vice-President of the Government and Minister of Labour and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Third Vice-President of the Government and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Teresa Ribera; the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of Justice, Pilar Llop; and the Minister of Defence, Margarita Robles.
Also present were the Minister of Finance and Public Administration, María Jesús Montero; the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; the Minister of Transport, Mobility and the Urban Agenda, Raquel Sánchez; the Minister of Industry, Trade and Tourism, Reyes Maroto; the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas; the Minister of the Presidency, Relations with Parliament and Democratic Memory, Félix Bolaños; the Minister of Territorial Policy, Isabel Rodríguez; the Minister of Health, Carolina Darias; the Minister of Science and Innovation, Diana Morant; and the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, José Luis Escrivá.
Also taking part were the Director of the Cabinet of the Presidency of the Government, Óscar López; the Secretary of State for Communication, Francesc Vallès; the Chief of Defence Staff, Admiral General Teodoro López Calderón; the Secretary of State Director of the National Intelligence Centre, Esperanza Casteleiro; the Secretary of State for Security, Rafael Pérez, and the Director of the Department of National Security, Miguel Ángel Ballesteros.
