The ADE asks parliamentary groups for a new Regulation for the Diplomatic Career that surpasses the current one from 1955

Eduardo González The Association of Spanish Diplomats (ADE) has asked the various parliamentary groups to approve the Royal Decree containing the draft new Regulation for the Diplomatic Career, in order to put an end to "the flagrant anomaly of having a regulation for the Diplomatic Career from 1955." It also regretted that the PSOE "has not agreed to schedule a meeting" with its representatives, despite its "repeated requests," and reiterated its "availability" to meet with the Socialist deputies "if they decide to change their minds." After appearing before the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee on February 25th and meeting with the committee and spokespersons of the Congress' Foreign Affairs Committee on May 27th, the ADE Board of Directors held a series of meetings between July and September with the spokespersons of the parliamentary groups in the Congress of Deputies to express their demands and "resolve the regulatory and budgetary shortcomings accumulated over decades," the Association reported in a statement on Monday. "We appreciate the time and attention that the Popular Party, Vox, and Sumar parliamentary groups have dedicated to us in the meetings we held with them between July and September," the ADE stated. "We regret that the Socialist Group has not agreed to schedule a meeting with us despite our repeated requests, and in any case, we reiterate our availability to meet with us if they decide to change their minds," it added. In the three meetings, "which took place in a very constructive atmosphere," the ADE presented its "ten priorities," with particular attention to "the need to update the regulations that affect us" to put an end to "the flagrant anomaly of having a Diplomatic Service Regulation from 1955." To this end, the ADE called for several "essential" measures that, in its opinion, should be undertaken "urgently or as soon as possible," such as the "approval of the Royal Decree with the draft of the new Diplomatic Service Regulations," ensuring that "the production of regulations considers the specific nature of the Administration abroad," and that "due attention be paid to them in the budgetary process." The diplomats also expressed their concern about the possibility that "the parliamentary process could advance on a Civil Service bill that would reduce the level of requirements and rigor for access to the Service and could exacerbate some of the current difficulties (leaves, leaves of absence, disciplinary regime without guarantees, etc.), without taking the opportunity to adapt our working conditions and the situation of the family members who accompany us abroad." "We have observed in the three parliamentary groups respect for the work we do under the circumstances we described and surprise at the lack of measures for so many years to update and improve the regulations that affect us and the precariousness of resources," it continued. "In short, we seek your understanding and support, which we hope will soon translate into concrete initiatives in line with our main demands," it added.

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