University of Ljubljana
Faculty of Social Sciences
Academic year 2007/2008
Course: International Organizations
Professor: Zlatko Šabič
Spain’s Foreign Policy
Work elaborated by: Margarida Reis
(Student number: 70070270)
Index
Introduction……………………………………………………………………..page 3
Ministry of Foreign Affairs.…………………………………………………….page 4
Spain foreign policy in:
South America…………………………………………………………..page 5
Maghreb and Middle East……………………………………………….page 7
Asia and Pacific…………………………………………………………page 9
North America and Europe……………………………………………...page 10
Sub-Saharan Africa……………………………………………………...page 11
Spain and United Nations……………………………………………………….page 12
Spanish International Cooperation……………………………………………...page 13
Spain and… …………………………………………………………………….page 14
Conclusion………………………………………………………………………page 15
Sources………………………………………………………………………….page 16
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Introduction
Foreign policy can be defined as all the goals that a state wishes to achieve in its
relations with other states of the world. The foreign policy is carefully planned in order
to protect the country’s national interests, particularly its national security, economic
prosperity and values.
The achievement of these goals is in the hand of the states’ government, and it is
normally planned and executed by the ministry of foreign affairs.
I this profile I am going to talk about the foreign policy of Spain.
Spain is a parliamentary monarchy in southwestern Europe, occupying the
greater part of the Iberian Peninsula. The Balearic Islands in the Mediterranean and the
Canary Islands in the Atlantic Ocean off the coast of Africa are governed as provinces
of Spain. Also, Spain administers two small exclaves in Morocco—Ceuta and Melilla—
as well as three island groups near Africa—Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera and the
Alhucemas and Chafarinas islands.
The role of Spain in the international community has been increasing since the
Franco’s dictatorship ended in 1975. A peaceful transition to democracy allowed the
break out of the diplomatic isolation of the Franco years and expand diplomatic
relations, enter the European Community, and define security relations with the West.
According to the World Bank, today Spain’s economy is the eighth biggest
worldwide and the fifth largest in Europe.
The historical relations with South America, the will to intensify its connections
with Asia, the improvement of its alliances with USA, the coordination to build a strong
and united European Union and its efforts to participate actively in the United Nations
actions are, among other, the main points of Spain foreign policy.
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Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in Spanish El Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores
y de Cooperación, is the government body that under its procedures and to make a
single action of the State abroad it is the responsible for the Spanish foreign policy.
This organ not only plans and executes the Spanish actions abroad but he also is
the responsible for the Spanish relations with International Organizations. Furthermore
it also manages the policy for international cooperation and development of Spain.
It is under this ministry that Spain develops its actions and relations as an
independent actor and as a member of several international organizations in today’s
international community.
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Spain foreign policy in South America
Since the discoveries of Christopher Columbus that Spain is connected to the
history of Americas. The presence and importance of Spain in the politic, social and
cultural life in this region can be evaluated by the extension of the former Spanish
colonies territory.
Naturally the Americas are one of the priorities in the Spanish foreign policy,
which attempts to combine the protection of Spain’s interests in the region with its
willingness to help find solutions for the principal problems faced by the region.
In 1949 the Organization of Ibero-American States, today known as The
Organization of Latin American States for the Education, Science and Culture (OEI)
was created. This organization is formed by the Spanish- and Portuguese-speaking
nations of the Americas and Europe, plus Equatorial Guinea in Africa. The main
objective of this organization is the cooperation between the Latin American countries
in the field of education, science, the technology and the culture in the context of the
integral development, the democracy and regional integration.
The fight against the insecurity and the instability of Latin America democratic
regimes are one of the main objectives of Spain’s foreign policy here. In order to
achieve these goals, the empowerment of the national institutions and the promotion of
social cohesion are initiatives that the Spanish government is trying to implement in
these countries with the help of political parties and NGOs.
Moreover, Spain has also economic activities in this region. For instance several
Spanish companies have its major holdings there. In some of those nations, Spain is the
top foreign investor. So, of course Spain wants to protect their national and private
interests there by encouraging a stable relation between politics and economy.
The Spanish foreign policy has to bear in mind the increasing movement of
Latin America emigration. In Spain, the governments are taking action in order to
improve the living and working conditions of these immigrants and to promote the
integration in the Spanish society the best way possible.
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Furthermore the government also continues to support initiatives at the EU-LA
summit but also partnership agreements between the EU and MERCOSUR, the Andean
Community, and Central America. We may conclude that Spain has been positioning
itself as the gateway between Latin America and Europe.
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Spain foreign policy in Maghreb and Middle East
In the Middle East, Spain government still maintains a very active foreign
policy. The objectives of this policy are not only to promote stability and prosperity, but
also to protect their interests in this region.
Middle East I is today a region, which imposes challenges that involve the
attention of all the international community.
Spain established diplomatic relations with Israel (1986) and Albania (1986) and
raised the status of the Palestinian Authority representation in Madrid. On this specific
issue, the Spanish government has repeatedly expressed its support for the right to self
determination of the Palestinian people as a basis for a just solution to the conflict and
the right of Israel to live within secure frontiers.
Spain has at all times supported the holding of a peace conference on the Middle
East, which was hosted in Madrid in October 1991.
In its relations with the Arab world, Spain frequently supports Arab positions on
Middle East issues. This region is a major area of interest for Spain partly because of oil
and gas imports.
In the present Iraq crisis, Spain has contributed actively in the peacemakig in
order to bring democracy to this country. The Spanish government also contributed to
the reconstruction of this damage nation. In fact, Spain is one of the largest donnors in
the world for this cause, giving over 300 million dollars.
Particularly important for Spain are the relations with the North African
countries.
Spain’s interest in the Mediterranean region is demonstrated through an
independent national foreign policy, above all for the Maghreb, using diplomatic
instruments such as treaties of friendship, good neighbourliness and cooperation
agreements and political dialogue.
.
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This has made it possible to begin a period of co-operation in maritime relations.
In 1991, a Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation was signed with Morocco and the
Spanish government has expressed its support for the peace plan proposed by the United
Nations to resolve the Western Sahara dispute.
However, relations with Moroccos are especially critical as Spain still controls
five places of sovereignty on and off the coast of Morocco – the coastal enclaves of
Ceuta and Melilla, which Morocco contests, as well as the islands of Peñon de
Alhucemas, Peñon de Vélez de la Gomera, and Islas Chafarinas.
The importance of the Maghreb for Spain is due to its geographical location in
this region, as well as the perception of it as an area of risk to Spanish domestic
security, a feeling of insecurity that has increased with the growth of illegal migratory
flows stemming from northern Africa. Combating human trafficking and the increasing
number of illegal immigrants across the 24 kilometre wide Strait of Gibraltar, as well as
via the sea route from North Africa to the Canary Islands, is a top priority for Spain.
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Spain foreign policy in Asia and Pacific
The Asian continent originates each day a bigger interest in Spain, especially in
what concerns the politcal and economic spheres. The huge development of this region,
allows us to predict that Asia will play an important role in the near future.
For this reason, Spain, in the last years, is trying to increase its influence and
participation in several countries of this region. The Spain objectives are specified in the
Action- Plan 2005-2008, which the main goal is the emporwerment of Spanish presence
in Asia. This plan is developed in three directions: the establishment of a billateral
dialogue network in different levels; carry out several meetings at the highest level; and
renforce the Spanish ambassies and consulates there as well as create new missions and
develop the central services.
This Action-Plan urges to overcome the delay existant in the Spanish relations
with Asia and Pacific.
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Spain foreign policy in North America and Europe
Spain and the United States have long maintained official and cordial relations.
Recent years have seen the strengthening of these ties with the exchange of high-level
visitors. The two countries cooperate in NATO and bilaterally in defence and security
areas, whereby Spain permits U.S. use of some Spanish military facilities. There is also
long-term cooperation in support of aerospace research and exploration. Cultural and
educational relations are maintained through both the Fulbright Scholarship program
and a U.S. embassy exchange program.
During 2002 and into 2003, Aznar actively supported the U.S. position on
disarming Iraq, by force if need be. Following Zapatero's decision to withdraw Spanish
troops from Iraq immediately after the 2004 general elections, relations predictably
soured, although important commercial links remained intact.
The relations between Spain and Canada have become stronger also. They have
a more economical character. Spain and Canada are also cooperating in regional
organizations such as NATO and the OSCE.
As Spain began to emerge from its post war isolation, successive Franco
cabinets sought to establish closer ties with Europe. Spain became a full member of
European Community, now European Union (EU), in January 1986. Today, the country
often coordinates its response to international policy issues through the EU political
cooperation mechanism. Spain supports significatively the establishment of a European
Constitution, showing its commitment to the future of Europe.
Spain has been successful in managing its relations with its two European
neighbors, France and Portugal. For instance the Iberia countries cooperate in the fight
against drug trafficking and tackling forest fires. Spain has very good relations with
France, especially since March 2004, when Zapatero was elected Prime Minister of
Spain. The police of Spain and France are now cooperating to suppress the terrorist
group ETA.
An issue that still arises tensions in the Spanish foreign policy is the British possesion of
Gibraltar. Spain continues to claim sovereignty over this territory, however the several
treaties and agreements nothing changed this situatuion.
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Spain foreign policy in Sub-Saharan Africa
The current problems of Sub-Saharan Africa represent significant challenges for
world's community. In this regard, the Spanish Government has agreed to significantly
increase the presence and projection of Spain on the continent, based on the principles
of effective and active multilateralism, contribution to the eradication of poverty, pacific
conflict resolution and prevention, and the promotion of democracy, good government,
and human rights.
The Spanish foreign policy takes action through: bilaterally and multilaterally
relations working also as a member of EU and United Nations (UN); productive trade
and investment to try to solve the debt problem; the promotion of the Spanish language
and culture; the consulates that assist and protect the national Spanish citizens; the
collaboration with the Sub-Sahara Africa authorities in order to a stricter control over
the borders because of the illegal migratory flow.
Spain has implemented a Cooperation Director Plan 2005-2008 for this region.
The goals of this plan are mainly the improvement of the cooperation between the SubSahara Africa countries.
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Spain and United Nations
Spain is a member of UN since 14th December of 1955 and it supports the
organization reformation process demanded by several states in order for UN to be more
prepared for the current global issues.
The Spanish financial contributions to this organization places this country in
the eighth place of those who more money provide to the UN. Despite this contribution
Spain also makes voluntary contributions for the different agencies, programmes and
funds of this organization. Moreover Spain also participates in six peacekeeping
operations.
Spain also makes part of several agencies and programs of UN, for instance:
FAO, UNICEF, WHO, UNESCO, among others.
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Spanish International Cooperation
The international cooperation for development is an essential part of a country
foreign policy.
The Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI) is the body responsible for
the execution and management of the Spanish international cooperation programs.
These cooperation programs take action in several areas like:
o
Fight against poverty and hungry;
o
Defense of human Rights;
o
Promotion of education and health,
o
Promotion of peace,
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Spain and…
Environmental Refugees
The global warming consequences for a country like Spain is the desertfication, which
may originate a several number of dislocated citizens.
However, Spain must take into account that, as it is already happening today, the
number of environmental refugees in its territory is problably going to increase. One of
the main consequence of this situation is the rising number of illegal immigrants that
arrive into Spain from Africa through the Mediterranean sea. So Spain should pay
attention how the international community is going to deal with this situation, as this
country is problably going to suffer directly the consequences of this situation.
Child Malnutrition
The child malnutrition is a ancient problem that the international community has not
reach the solution yet. Spain, like a lot of other states and international organizations, is
implementing measures and programmes in order to improve the living condtions may
childreen. Spain is working actively in South America and in Sub-Saharian Africa, one
of the regions more affected with this problem.
Sanctions
Spain, as a member of UN, believes that the economic sanctions are one of the solutions
for states who do not obey to their obligations and put in danger the peace and security
of other contries. However, if this sanctions are creating more economic difficulties
especially for the national citzens, Spain believes that other solutions must be
considered.
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Conclusion
After elaborating this report i really realize how complex and complicated the
foreign relations and policies of a state can be.
Before taking any precipatated action, a state must have in consideration all the
other states and international organizations that explict or implicitly are going to suffer
with the consenquences of its action.
In the case of Spain, we are in the presence of a country that had experienced a
rapid development after a dictatorship, and at the present moment is one of the most
influent states in the international community.
I noticed that the Spanish foreign policy is very particular. It is a mixture of the
historical "obligations" with the Latin American States, the wish to develop and
increase relations with some Asian states, the prossecution of a common EU policy
without menace the USA relations and the maintenance of territorial disputes with
Moroccos and Great Britain.
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Sources
Primary:
Internet (consulted between 28th-30th october 2007):
http://www.mae.es/es/Home
http://ftp.unb.br/pub/UNB/ipr/rel/ipri/2000/1580.pdf
http://lcweb2.loc.gov/frd/cs/estoc.html
Secundary:
Internet (consulted between 28th-29th october 2007)
http://www.ieei.pt/post.php?post=33
https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/sp.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Foreign_relations_of_Spain
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