Albares calls for the Mediterranean to occupy a central place in European foreign policy

The Diplomat Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares chaired the meeting of the High Board of Trustees of the European Institute of the Mediterranean (IEMed) this Monday in Barcelona, where he argued that the Mediterranean should occupy a central place on the European agenda. "The Mediterranean is a central axis of Spain's foreign policy, and as such, we are convinced that it must also occupy a central place in Europe's foreign policy," because "it is fundamental to its stability and prosperity," he asserted. In this context, Albares called for peace in the region through dialogue with our regional partners and the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, and stressed the importance of respecting the ceasefire until negotiations culminate in a solution that ends the conflict. He also reiterated the need to guarantee security and freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. Furthermore, Albares recalled Spain's commitment "to relaunching Euro-Mediterranean policy in 2025, within the framework of the 30th anniversary of the Barcelona Process," and highlighted the role of the IEMed in the adoption of the new Pact for the Mediterranean, in which it participated by promoting consultations with academics and civil society on both shores of the Mediterranean. In this regard, the minister noted that in 2025 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs increased its contribution to the IEMed's budget by €600,000 through the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID). This new Spanish contribution, he affirmed, has enabled the annual publication of the IEMed Yearbook and the journal Afkar, as well as the design and development of the new regional cooperation strategy for the Arab world, Masar Al'an. In addition, Albares expressed his gratitude for the work of the IEMed in generating knowledge and Mediterranean networks, which is fundamental to strengthening the Euro-Arab and Islamic dialogue, "a driving force for peace, dialogue and diplomatic negotiations based on international law and international humanitarian law."

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