"The Mediterranean favours closer ties amongst the peoples"

Excerpts from the interview of Spain’s Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, with the magazine afkar/ideas

 

Spain’s Prime Minister, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, gave an interview last June to the magazine afkar/ideas, a Spanish publication distributed in Europe and the Maghreb, during which he analysed in depth the current situation in the Mediterranean and the Barcelona Process.  Below are excerpts from this interview.

 

THE MEDITERRANEAN
‘(...) the complex political, economic, social, and cultural challenges present today in this zone, and which deeply affect our interests and our very future, make it necessary for Spain to have a dynamic and efficient foreign policy in the Mediterranean, both on the bilateral plane and within the multilateral sphere.’

THE EURO-MEDITERRANEAN PARTNERSHIP
‘Although the achievements of the Barcelona Process may be questioned in certain quarters, no one can doubt the validity of the objectives and methods of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership.  The framework created in Barcelona has become an irreplaceable reference.  Not a single participating government, not even those living closest to the tensions of the Middle East, has questioned its presence in the Euro-Mediterranean process. For years, this has been the only regional forum where Israel, the Palestinian Authority, Syria, and Lebanon have shared a table (...).’

THE EUROPEAN NEIGHBOURHOOD POLICY IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
‘The Barcelona Process will be enriched thanks to this new instrument, which is the European Neighbourhood Policy. With it, member countries will benefit from a great Euro-Mediterranean market.  But we should not in any way neglect the currently existing process of co-operation and multilateral dialogue (...).’

THE ALLIANCE OF CIVILISATIONS IN THE MEDITERRANEAN
‘The connection with the Mediterranean is evident, because we are dealing with an area that favours closer ties amongst the peoples on its shores.  However, without decided action on the part of everyone, this sea could be transformed into an insurmountable barrier.  I believe that this Mediterranean incarnates, better than any other zone in the world, the risks inherent in a conflict of civilisations and, at the same time, the enormous potentials of an Alliance.  It is in our hands to decide whether we want, for the future, a sea that unites us or one that separates us (...).’

THE MIDDLE EAST
‘After four years of Intifada, the trend has been reversed.  In the peace process today a climate of optimism prevails, but also one of prudence.  Different events have influenced this situation, such as the election of President Mahmud Abbas, the definitive approval on the part of Israel’s Knesset of the Gaza withdrawal plan, the London Conference on Palestine, and the renewed efforts of the international community to contribute politically and economically to the process (...).’

‘Unfortunately, we must be prudent because there are still outbreaks of violence, the military occupation of the territories continues, and the Sharm El-Sheij accords were not applied as quickly as we would all have hoped (...).’

‘Confidence-building measures should be, as established in the roadmap, the first step for Palestinians and Israelis to return to the negotiating table in search of a definitive agreement on the final statute and its defining elements: borders, refugees, and Jerusalem.  We support the leadership of the Quartet in this exercise, and are maintaining an ongoing dialogue with both sides and with the most relevant members of the international community.’

 ‘On the other hand, the Spanish government has increased its co-operation with the Palestinian Territories, an absolute priority in the Middle East, with a significant increase in programmes in such key areas as security, with a programme equipping the Palestinian police having a budget of 10 million euros; good government, collaborating on the elaboration of a Constitution and institutional reforms; and the economy, with numerous co-operation projects and a 30-million euro micro-credits programme.  It is worth remembering here that Spain’s commitment to the Palestinian people is a long-term commitment, and that in 2004 projects and actions were carried out worth more than 15 million euros—38% more than the average for the previous years, between 2001 and 2003.’

 ‘After so many years, Palestinians and Israelis deserve a just peace.  Therefore, the Spanish government will spare no efforts so that this new climate of hope may have the long-term results that we all desire.’

THE MAGHREB
‘The government of Spain, in designing its foreign policy, gives pride of place to the strategic nature of the Maghreb, a region that poses global challenges of all kinds, but also great opportunities for understanding, co-operation, and progress, favoured by the historical, cultural, and geographic proximity of Spain, our privileged level of mutual understanding, and the existence of consolidated ties.’

 ‘The Administration has defined a global policy that is being carried out—both in the bilateral and multilateral contexts—in such forums as the 5 + 5 Dialogue or the Mediterranean Forum and, above all, within the framework of the Euro-Mediterranean Barcelona Process, which will soon celebrate its tenth anniversary.’

 ‘Within a bilateral framework, Spain has consolidated ties of friendship and co-operation with every one of these countries, intensifying contacts at all levels in order to promote our common political, economic, cultural, and security interests.  I am convinced that supporting the prosperity and development of our neighbours to the south will unavoidably result in a higher degree of stability throughout the Mediterranean basin, which will be good for everyone—for us, as well.’

‘I believe that both Morocco and Algeria understand that intensifying their contacts is good for both.  For us, they are two strategic countries that are our friends, and therefore we are going to be a close, reliable partner.  We have promoted better understanding between Algeria y Morocco to reactivate the highly necessary process of Maghreb integration.  There are signs of an improvement in the relations between these two countries, including the King of Morocco’s visit to Algeria and the mutual suppression of visas for their citizens, which gives rise to hopes that their borders will soon be opened.’

 ‘Regarding the problem of the Sahara, the Spanish government has adopted a very active stance because this is a conflict that is not only an obstacle for the integration of the Maghreb, but which also prolongs the suffering of the Saharan people.  Spain has no “magic formula” for solving this problem, which has lasted for more than 30 years now, but we are aware that we can exercise a certain amount of influence, given the privileged role as an interlocutor that we have with the different sides, such as Morocco and the Polisario Front, and also with the other countries concerned—above all, with Algeria.  Consequently, we have committed ourselves to working dynamically towards a political consensus that is just, definitive, and in accordance with international law.’

MOROCCO
‘Relations with Morocco are enormously rich and complex. (...) Today, our Moroccan policy has a global focus and is aimed at advancing in all areas, always with a spirit of mutual trust and understanding (...).’

ALGERIA
‘It is evident that Hispano-Algerian relations are enjoying an excellent moment, and that important high-level visits are going on in both directions (...) Besides intensifying political dialogue, co-operation has been redoubled in areas such as security, justice, irregular immigration, and the economic sphere (...).’

TERRORISM
‘(...) strengthening police and judicial co-operation has taken on an extraordinary importance.  Terrorism has become a transnational phenomenon, and therefore, it is a common threat that demands shared solutions.  This approach has been fully accepted by the North African countries, and we are working together with them.  The results of our co-operation are very positive.  Information exchanges have multiplied, and our concerted action has resulted in higher preventive security and greater judicial efficiency in the fight against terrorists.’