The Diplomat
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, held a meeting yesterday with the ambassadors of the Asian countries accredited in Spain, with whom he spoke about the “crucial” role that the Asia-Pacific region plays “for security and economic growth.” in the present and in the future.”
During the meeting, held at the Casa Asia headquarters in Barcelona, Albares conveyed to the Asian ambassadors the desire and intention of the Spanish Government “to work even harder” for the growth of bilateral ties “with Asian countries” and announced the reinforcement of the economic, political and cultural presence of Spain in the region, as witnessed by the upcoming opening of a Consulate General in Bangalore (India).
To this end, the minister offered them the full collaboration of Casa Asia and the Spain-China, Spain-Japan, Spain-India and Spain-Australia Council Foundations, as the most important tools of public diplomacy to promote encounters between societies. from both regions, as reported by the Ministry in a press release.
“Spain is aware that Asia Pacific is a crucial geopolitical region, a key area for security and economic growth in the present and in the future,” said the minister. “As part of the EU, we want the region to be an area where opportunities and challenges are resolved through inclusive cooperation,” he added.
During the meeting, Albares reviewed the regional and international agenda, with special emphasis on the conflict in the Middle East and Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, calling for contributions to the peace efforts of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. In March 2023, the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, asked the President of the People’s Republic of China, Xi Jinping, in Beijing to have “a conversation” with Zelensky, to “learn first-hand about the Ukrainian Government’s peace plan.” , shortly after the Chinese leader presented his own twelve-point proposal to end the conflict in Ukraine. The Chinese ambassador to Spain, Yao Jing, attended the meeting with Albares yesterday.
In addition, Minister Albares conveyed Spain’s interest in strengthening ties “from the base, where the most lasting ties are built, through more intense exchanges between people, including cultural cooperation and the promotion of Spanish, a truly language.” globally, throughout the region.” In this framework, Minister Albares also announced the upcoming opening of two headquarters of the Instituto Cervantes in Seoul and Shanghai.
