<h6><strong>Eduardo González</strong></h6> <h4><strong>The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, expressed this Monday his “most sincere condolences” for the death of former President of the United States Jimmy Carter, who “will always be remembered for his defense of democracy and his dedication to peace.”</strong></h4> “My most sincere condolences to the family of President Carter and the people of the United States,” declared the head of the Executive through social networks. “Jimmy Carter has been one of the leaders most committed to justice and human rights and will always be remembered for his defense of democracy and his dedication to peace,” he added. Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981, died on Sunday at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia, making him the oldest former US president. In June 1980, then-President Carter made a single official visit to Spain, where he was received by King Juan Carlos I and the President of the Government, Adolfo Suárez. On that trip, the first by a president of the Democratic Party to visit Spain and in the midst of Spain's democratic transition, Carter expressed his support for Spain's incorporation into European institutions and NATO. He also took advantage of his stay in Madrid to sound out the future bilateral military relationship, including the presence of US bases in Spain, should the Socialists take power. For his part, the President of the United States, Joe Biden, released an official statement in which he affirms that “the United States and the world have lost an extraordinary leader, a statesman and a great philanthropist.” “President Carter dedicated his life to global peace, human rights and justice,” he continued. “From the signing of the Camp David Accords to his fight to eradicate diseases, his legacy lives on around the world. May his memory continue to guide us,” the statement concludes. For this reason, Biden has ordered representatives of the United States in foreign countries to fly the country's flag at half-mast for a period of thirty days at “their embassies, legations, consular offices and other facilities abroad, including all military installations and naval ships and stations,” added the text, released by the American Embassy in Madrid. <h5><strong>EU condolences</strong></h5> The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, on Monday expressed her condolences to the American people on the death of former President Jimmy Carter, highlighting his “moral leadership”, while expressing her wish that his “noble legacy” as a promoter of peace and democracy will endure. “My deepest condolences to the American people on the death of President Carter. He served his country with honour and with humanity, with compassion. His work promoted peace, health and democracy throughout the world,” said the German politician in a message on social media. The High Representative of the European Union (EU) for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Kaja Kallas, also shared her condolences on Carter's death and stressed that his search “for a foreign policy with values and compassion was truly admirable”. For the head of European diplomacy, he will be remembered “for his unwavering commitment to human rights”. The President of the European Council, Antonio Costa, expressed the same sentiments: “President Jimmy Carter placed human rights, human dignity and peace at the centre of his political life. His legacy is an inspiration.” In the same vein as Costa, the President of the European Parliament, Roberta Metsola, defined the former president as a “tireless defender of peace and human rights.” “The Nobel Peace Prize is a testament to his decisive role in resolving conflicts that changed the course of history,” said Metsola, referring to the award that the politician received in 2002. “As an inspiration to many around the world, his legacy will endure. Europe mourns with the people of the United States,” added the President of the European Parliament. Carter, who served from 1977 to 1981, died on Sunday at the age of 100 at his home in Plains, Georgia, making him the oldest former US president.
