Eduardo González
King Felipe VI warned this Friday, January 9, at the closing ceremony of the 10th Conference of Ambassadors, that Venezuelans must be “the sole” protagonists of their own destiny. He also stated that the “systematic violation” of international law cannot be accepted, “neither through words nor silence,” and that “we must avoid at all costs that the future of the world be written outside of Europe.”
In his closing speech, the Monarch reviewed “the main pillars of the State’s foreign policy agenda, which, obviously, are aligned, as they must be, with the policy established by the Government, with foreign policy”: the defense of multilateralism and an international order based on rules, “more Europe,” The importance of the transatlantic link “beyond current circumstances,” our “brotherhood with Latin America,” our “Mediterranean identity,” international development cooperation, and the promotion of the Spanish language, among others.
Venezuela
“Given recent events, I would like to share with you all some reflections on Venezuela,” the King continued. Thanks to his “closeness to the Venezuelan people,” he affirmed, Spain must “contribute as much as possible to ensuring that a true democratic, peaceful, inclusive, and respectful transition, respectful of the sovereign will—a will that must, of course, be free and independent of all Venezuelans—begins as soon as possible, with guarantees.”
“Therefore, Venezuelans must be the sole protagonists of their own destiny,” Felipe VI warned, celebrating “the release of five compatriots and other citizens who were also being held,” an event that “represents a necessary step in the direction we long for and that the Venezuelan people deserve.” “It cannot be other than the full recovery of freedoms.”
International Law
“The second idea, beyond the specific case of Venezuela, is our firm and unequivocal support for respect for international law,” he continued. “We cannot, neither through words nor silence, accept its systematic violation, and that is what we see far too often these days,” because “it represents a step backward of more than a century, to a time of normative vacuum which, aggravated by current technology and media, presents unsettling future scenarios,” he warned.
According to the King, “it is undeniable that the states that have done the most to build this institutional normative framework are the democracies, and they bear a special ethical responsibility to preserve this world based on rules, that is, on reason, as opposed to the other based on the unlimited exercise of force and driven by interests that are often mutually exclusive or incompatible.” “Let us remember that, however perfectible it may be, a world founded on law, open to cooperation and dialogue, will always move closer to a better future.” “More important than any other goal is peace, stability, and development,” he added.
Furthermore, the Monarch acknowledged that “great doses of diplomatic skill and courage” are needed to “preserve the transatlantic link, that indispensable framework for both Europe and the Americas, which also emerged from the ashes of the Second World War” and which “has fostered the flourishing of our democracies, brought us stability and growth, and undoubtedly contributed decisively to the genesis and development of multilateralism.” In any case, he cautioned, without making any specific references, “preserving the transatlantic link is clearly a shared responsibility.”
Europe
Regarding the European Union, King Felipe VI announced that, “in a couple of weeks,” he will address the European Parliament to speak “about the transformative power of Europe in our country,” coinciding with the fortieth anniversary of Spain’s accession. “I will also speak about our contribution to the integration process on such important issues as citizenship, internal justice, cohesion, equality, and even neighborliness, to name just a few,” and “I will insist on demanding more Europe,” because “we must avoid at all costs that the future of the world be written outside of Europe.”
“It is about increasing our weight in the world and our capacity for action thanks to Europe, thanks to our membership in the European Union, and Spain can undoubtedly take a step forward by building consensus, participating in enhanced cooperation, proposing measures to increase strategic autonomy, productivity, innovation, and the attraction of talent, or to fully develop the agreement with Mercosur, which is so important for the Union and certainly for our country,” he added.
Albares
During the closing ceremony, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized the importance of the Conference of Ambassadors “at this moment when the world order and the international order are transforming before our very eyes.”
He also praised the King’s role in Spanish foreign policy, alluding to “the trips I accompany him on, the state visits we receive, and the impetus and projection that the figure of the Head of State provides.” He affirmed that “it is a great source of pride for all of us that he has chosen members of the Diplomatic Corps for many of the positions in his Household, beginning with the Head of the Royal Household,” Camilo Villarino, a career diplomat with extensive experience at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union, who was appointed by King Felipe VI in January 2024 to succeed Jaime Alfonsín.