Pedro Morenés presents Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic to French Minister for Defence

During his speech, the Minister for Defence underlined the excellent collaboration between the two countries and the shared concern "over threats to our citizens". According to Pedro Morenés, "It is beyond our borders that these values shared by France and Spain come together, where our interests converge, our soldiers find they are shoulder-to-shoulder on the same mission and where solidarity is consolidated and strengthened".

After reviewing the missions which are common to the two countries, in the Horn of Africa, in the Sahel, particularly in Mali, in the Central African Republic, in Lebanon, and in the common organisations in which they work, such as the EU, NATO and the 5+5 Initiative, the minister highlighted "the political harmony, the climate of trust and cooperation" between Spain and France, particularly on defence issues. That is why, in this climate of excellent relations, Pedro Morenés underlined that "Spain and France add up to much more than just two".

For his part, the French Minister for Defence expressed his gratitude for the "immense honour" represented by the bestowal of the Grand Cross of Isabella the Catholic from a "friendly country" with which France maintains such excellent ties. Jean-Yves Le Drian reviewed and praised the common operations being undertaken by the two countries and particularly thanked Spain for its support and contribution to Operation Barkhane in Mali and Operation Sangaris in the Central African Republic. For these endeavours, he described Spain as a "benchmark ally".