The Diplomat
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, Manuel Albares, assured yesterday in Santo Domingo before his Ibero-American counterparts that the conflict in Ukraine “is a war in Europe, not a European one”, which affects equally European and Latin American values.
According to diplomatic sources informed the Europa Press agency, the minister made this warning during his speech at the third meeting of Foreign Ministers, held behind closed doors on the occasion of the XXVIII Ibero-American Summit of Heads of State and Government, in Santo Domingo.
“It is a war in Europe, not a European war, which affects the values we share as Ibero-Americans and in violation of the United Nations Charter,” the Minister affirmed. For this reason, he continued, it is necessary to “defend a just peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the United Nations Charter, which respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity” of the country.
The war in Ukraine is not on the agenda of the Summit, but Moncloa sources indicated this week that the issue could hover over the debates, especially because of its food, energy and financial impact on the region. Last Thursday, upon his arrival in Santo Domingo accompanied by the King, Albares announced to the press that he would introduce the Ukraine conflict during the Summit and assured, without further details, that the Spanish Government has even “presented several proposals” for the issue to be included in the final declaration. The aforementioned Moncloa sources said that the President of the Government, Pedro Sanchez, will refer to the war during his speech.
Regarding the possibility of the war in Ukraine being included in the final declaration, the Ibero-American Secretary General (SEGIB), Andrés Allamand, reminded last Thursday that the Ibero-American Community works by consensus and, therefore, any proposal requires the unanimous support of the 22 countries. Under these circumstances, the support of Venezuela and Nicaragua for Russia makes it practically impossible to reach an agreement. On the other hand, what cannot be prevented is for each leader to introduce this issue during his or her intervention, either in the plenary or during the dinner and lunch behind closed doors.
Bilateral meetings
Albares took advantage of his presence in Santo Domingo to maintain bilateral contacts with several of his Ibero-American counterparts.
According to the minister’s Twitter account, he met with the Peruvian Foreign Minister, Cecilia Gervasi, with whom he discussed the International Congress of the Spanish Language to be held in Cadiz next week and “the importance of strengthening Ibero-American cooperation to face global challenges”.
Albares said. He also said that he had met with his colleague from Guatemala, Mario Búcaro, with whom he reviewed bilateral relations. “We also discussed the situation in the Caribbean region and the importance of the EU-CELAC Summit during the Spanish EU Presidency,” the Spanish minister added.
