The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, has called for the need to strengthen European sovereignty and reinforce cohesion among the Member States of the Union in order to respond effectively to the challenges of the new global geopolitical context. During his participation in the Cercle d’Economia Annual Meeting, which this year focused its discussions on Europe’s strategic autonomy, the minister also advocated for greater integration of the defence industry and a European army.
Albares, alongside his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, took part in the round table discussion entitled “Europe: Are we capable of reaching an agreement?”, during which he shared his views on decision-making mechanisms within the European Union and the need to streamline processes that are currently subject to unanimity and allow critical decisions on foreign policy and defence to be blocked.
Geopolitical challenges
The debate was divided into two sections, the first of which focused on European policy towards Ukraine, Russia and the future of NATO. Albares reiterated Spain’s position of supporting Ukraine for as long as necessary and continuing to put pressure on Russia through sanctions.
The minister also defended our country’s commitment to NATO, noting that our Armed Forces are deployed from the Baltic to Turkey and the Mediterranean with enhanced capabilities on land, at sea and in the air. He also reiterated that we are one of the largest contributors to Ukraine and that we have made a record investment in defence, fulfilling last year’s commitment to allocate 2% of GDP to this area.
Strategic autonomy
In the second section, dedicated to strategic autonomy, the minister called for a strong and united Europe in the face of external pressures, with greater agility in decision-making.
He also emphasised the need to make progress in the field of security and defence and to move towards a genuine common European defence, with European funding, better integration of our defence industries and the creation of a European army—not to replace national armies, but to establish a rapid reaction force that guarantees our own deterrent capability.
Bilateral meeting
Prior to his participation in the Cercle d’Economia, the minister held a bilateral meeting with his Polish counterpart, Radoslaw Sikorski, with whom he discussed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and opportunities for Spanish companies in Poland.
During the meeting, the ministers also discussed key issues on the global agenda, such as the crisis in the Middle East, support for Ukraine and how to present a united European voice in the peace negotiations, as well as the challenges facing the future of Europe.