The Diplomat
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, yesterday assured the ambassadors of the Arab countries accredited in Madrid that Spain wants to promote a new agenda between the European Union and the Arab world during its Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2023.
At a meeting held at the Cara Árabe headquarters in Córdoba, Albares reviewed the regional and international agenda before the Arab diplomatic representatives, as well as the preparations for the upcoming Euro-Mediterranean meetings in Barcelona and the Spanish Presidency of the EU, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The statement added that Albares stressed: “We are closer and feel closer to the Arab world than any other European country”. He also stressed that Spain ‘has always played a leading role in the Middle East peace process, in the Euro-Mediterranean partnership, in the Euro-Arab dialogue; and we intend to continue to do so’.
During the meeting, which was a continuation of the meeting held on 13 September with the ambassadors of the Arab countries, the minister conveyed to them the Spanish government’s desire and willingness “to continue strengthening relations with countries that are our neighbours and to which we feel closer than probably any other European country”.
Finally, he assured them that all of this will be reflected in the forthcoming Spanish Presidency of the European Council, “when our country,” he said, “will work to promote a new agenda between the European Union and the Arab world”.
