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.’