Foreign Ministry does not clarify the ADE’s doubts regarding calls for the ambassador position and the regulations of the Diplomatic Service

Eduardo González The Association of Spanish Diplomats (ADE) met this week with the Undersecretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Xavier Martí Martí, who was unable to confirm whether the call for applications for ambassadorships at Spanish embassies abroad (the so-called "embabombo," in diplomatic jargon) would be published in 2026, nor did he provide any details about the future regulations for the Diplomatic Service. During the meeting, which took place on Monday, January 19, the ADE discussed the draft regulations for the Diplomatic Service, following the Association's repeated complaints about the current regulations, which it described as "Francoist in 1955." Last December, the ADE again requested a copy of the draft of the new regulations. In his response, according to the ADE statement, the Undersecretary refused to provide a copy of the draft and ruled out submitting the text to the Council of Ministers (“despite a State Council opinion dating back to 2023”), arguing that “there is a draft Civil Service Law currently being processed that could affect its content.” However, the Association explained that “this does not prevent the approval of regulations that were practically ready in 2023 and that could always be modified later if a new Civil Service Law is ultimately passed.” Furthermore, the ADE also expressed its surprise that the competition to fill embassies in 2026 (the “embassy”) has not yet been published. Regarding this, according to the statement, Martí replied that he “has no information on whether” the call for applications will be issued and even admitted that he “doesn’t know if this procedure will be maintained in the draft regulations for the Civil Service.” The Association also reiterated its demand for transparency and information regarding opportunities available to diplomats, such as secondments or courses at other institutions, specifically regarding who is awarded these positions. They requested that, following the decision, all potential applicants be informed in the same manner as when the opportunity is announced. The Undersecretary agreed to inform those who had submitted applications, but the ADE believes it is insufficient to simply communicate that their request was denied without clarifying who was awarded it. During the meeting, the ADE reiterated its request to hold its General Assembly in one of the auditoriums on the ground floor of the Ministry headquarters on Marqués de Salamanca Street in Madrid, but this request was denied, the statement continues. For all these reasons, the ADE denounced to Xavier Martí the “inflexible attitude and lack of attention towards the demands of the majority association of the Diplomatic Corps” and warned him that “it is not enough to receive its Board of Directors” and that, “after a year of meetings and letters,” the Association expects “some positive results and not setbacks, such as the elimination of the ‘embabombo’ (a term referring to a specific type of official ceremony or event).” “We invite all members to participate in the General Assembly on Wednesday, January 28, at 5:00 p.m., to discuss the actions that the association can undertake,” concludes the statement from the ADE Board of Directors.

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