Ukraine and the role of the European Union were the main focus of the meeting between José Manuel Albares and his counterpart at the Holy See

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, held a meeting at the Vatican with the Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See, Monsignor Paul Gallagher, with whom he addressed the aggression against Ukraine, the role of the European Union, the importance of multilateralism and the social agenda and the political situation in Latin America, among other issues.

During their meeting, the Minister for Foreign Affairs explained the measures that the European Union has adopted against the regime of Vladimir Putin in response to the illegal and unjust invasion of Ukraine, the seven rafts of economic and trade sanctions imposed to date – the largest in the history of the EU. José Manuel Albares recalled the unanimous condemnation of both the self-styled vote and the annexation of Ukrainian territories to the Russian Federation, along with the humanitarian aid for Ukraine and other neighbouring countries in the sum of 38 million euros, the reception of citizens from this country who abandoned it at the start of the invasion and the delivery of military material to contribute to the defence of the country.

The minister also highlighted the unity and cohesion of the EU, and referred to the Spanish Presidency of the EU in the second half of 2023, during which time Spain will work to strengthe​n the proximity of EU institutions to citizens, with a particular emphasis on the Social Pillar, the environment and food security, among other aims.

José Manuel Albares stressed Spain’s commitment to multilateralism to Monsignor Gallagher, demonstrated at the recent meeting of the United Nations General Assembly, at which it publicly displayed its support for the Common Agenda of the Secretary General, its contribution commitment of 236.5 million euros for food security projects and its participation in the Global Crisis Response Group promoted by the UN. They also reviewed the situation in Latin America.

The minister took the opportunity of his trip to Rome to see the progress on the works on the Chancellery of Spain attached to the Obra Pía - Spanish establishments in Italy.