Madrid
Keep
Strengthen relations with Morocco, promote Spain as a safe country for tourists, and strengthen ties with the United States. The new Minister of Foreign Affairs, EU and Cooperation, Jose Manuel Albares, arrives at the Palacio de Santa Cruz with clear objectives and the intention of putting them into operation as soon as possible. This was expressed yesterday at the headquarters of the Ministry, after the exchange of portfolios with the outgoing minister, Arancha González Laya, whom he appointed his personal advisor.
Among Albares’ priorities is the need to “strengthen relations especially with Morocco.” He said it yesterday as soon as he began his speech and without mentioning the Gali operation, which last April caused a diplomatic and migratory crisis in Ceuta with hardly any precedents with Morocco. A conflict that Spain has not yet been able to resolve.
A career diplomat and seasoned in politics as Sánchez’s “Sherpa”, Albares began his speech by talking about Morocco with a clear purpose: aware that this country personalized the Gali conflict in Laya and knowing that from Rabat they are awaiting any government statement , and especially the new Minister of Foreign Affairs, Albares took advantage of yesterday’s act to launch a message of rapprochement to the “great friend” of Spain, to its “southern neighbor.” He stressed the need for “Offer security” and “dealing with migratory movements”, for which “we must work with our allies and friends.”
“There are things we can do alone within the Ministry, but we have to work as a team with other ministries,” said Albares, while introducing his second challenge: “We must explain to the world that Spain is a safe place to be able to come to spend the summer ». He stressed that we are “at the forefront of the world in vaccination figures.”
Albares highlighted the condition of Spain as a Mediterranean country, but also “we are an Atlantic country.” Slid so the affinity of Spain with the Biden Administration it has to be an advantage, a bridge to strengthen ties with the United States. A relationship that at the moment could be clearly better.
Albares is aware that it is landing abroad in “very difficult” moments due to Covid-19, which warned that it can lead to a “diplomatic crisis” if the “imbalances” that the pandemic and the management of the vaccine can produce are not well managed. Therefore, he assumes that his plans and the challenges of the ministry will vary depending on the needs of Spain. Albares knows that much remains to be done and rebuilt. With energy and prudence, he concluded his speech by encouraging his fellow diplomats to work hard with a “hands on deck.”
– .