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King Juan Carlos Underscores Spain's Responsibility
Spain's foreign policy will "enter the new millennium by assuming more responsibility in the world," King Juan Carlos said to foreign ambassadors at the Royal Palace on Wednesday.
The King underscored the importance of the impending Spanish presidency of the EU during the first semester of 2002 at a gathering of the royal family, the Spanish Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar, Foreign Minister Josep Pique and all diplomatic representatives in Madrid.
He said the Spanish commitment focuses on "preserving the European social model, the construction of a citizens' Europe, and the development of a foreign policy of common security," while not ignoring the "fundamental task" of expanding the European Union (EU). He talked about the Spanish commitment to Ibero-America, an excellent destination for investments which has turned Spain into the first international investor for many countries in the region. "
He mentioned the Spanish interest in encouraging the Euro-Mediterranean dialogue. In this area, he said, the Middle East's peace process is a matter of "top priority" for Spain, which will not "cease to encourage dialogue between enemies and to end violence in the area, while keeping a position in accordance with the framework established by the United Nations, the Conference of Madrid, and the Oslo Agreements."
In his review of the international arena, the king mentioned two areas in which Spain has to deepen its participation and cooperation: sub-Saharan Africa and Asia.
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