The Diplomat
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, declared yesterday that the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union will be “key” for the Spanish Cooperation because of its support for “the relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean and the strategic autonomy of both regions”.
Albares spoke yesterday at the closing of the course Spanish cooperation and global solidarity: a transformative agenda, organized by the Carolina Foundation and that has been developed from 10 to 14 July in San Lorenzo del Escorial in the framework of the summer courses of the Complutense University of Madrid.
During his speech, the minister highlighted the importance of the Law on Cooperation for Sustainable Development and Global Solidarity, approved in February 2023, as “a fundamental element that will serve as a framework for a renewed Spanish Cooperation with greater impact” based on the 2030 Agenda for sustainable development and on the basis of “policy coherence.”
According to Albares, “international cooperation is at the center of Spain’s foreign action” and forms part “of the values of Spaniards”, because “only through cooperation and solidarity can we face the great global challenges”, such as the fight against poverty, climate change, the promotion of gender equality and inequality.
The Minister also stated that 2023 is “a key year” for the Spanish Cooperation agenda, especially in the context of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union and its commitment to “strengthen the relationship with Latin America and the Caribbean and promote the strategic autonomy of both regions”.
The course was directed by Pilar Cancela, Secretary of State for International Cooperation, and José Antonio Sanahuja, Director of the Carolina Foundation. Speakers included Inmaculada Zamora, Secretary General of the FIIAPP; María Noel Vaeza, Regional Director of UN Women; Enrique O’Farrill, Director of the Chilean Agency for International Development Cooperation; Antón Leis, Director of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID); and Marta Blanco, President of CEOE International.
