Spanish MFA presents development cooperation model for new European Financial Framework in Brussels

The State Secretary for International Cooperation at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Eva Granados Galiano, represented Spain on Monday at the Foreign Affairs Council (Development) and presented the event “A Renewed Spanish Cooperation for a Stronger Team Europe” at the Permanent Mission of Spain to the European Union.

At the European Union ministerial meeting on development cooperation, Granados defended Spain’s position in favour of European cooperation based on values, with the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals as an indispensable roadmap, and advocated for a Global Europe instrument that complements geopolitical ambition with a real impact on sustainable development.

Presentation of Spanish Cooperatio​​n to institutions

The State Secretary presented the revamped model of Spanish Cooperation and its contribution to the architecture of the future Global Europe instrument, within the framework of the negotiations on the EU’s Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034. Granados defended the Spanish position that the Global Gateway and the Global Europe instrument must combine a geopolitical vision with a real impact on development, with the 2030 Agenda as the horizon and partner countries as key players.

This presentation was made to the main institutions of the European Union, with the participation of representatives such as the Director-General for International Partnerships at the European Commission and the Director for the Americas at the European External Action Service, at a high-level event attended by the directors of the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), the Foundation for the Internationalisation of Public Administrations​ (FIAP) and the Carolina Foundation.

Spain makes its mark in the​​ MFF negotiations

The State Secretary emphasised that Spain is the fourth-largest EU Member State in terms of delegated cooperation management, with AECID and FIAP having managed over €300 million in European funds between 2021 and 2023. She also highlighted the creation of the Spanish Sustainable Development Fund (FEDES), the financial instrument that allows public and private resources to be combined to enhance the impact of Spanish cooperation in line with European mechanisms.

Granados also noted that, against a backdrop of a 26% decline in global Official Development Assistance (ODA) by 2025 according to OECD data, Spain has increased its ODA by 13%, consolidating its position as a reliable, committed and strategic partner for the European Union’s cooperation architecture.