Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation meets with High Representative for Alliance of Civilisations

The minister expressed his conviction to the high representative that the Alliance of Civilisations must strengthen its capabilities as an instrument for conflict prevention, mediation and reconciliation through programmes that foster understanding between different cultures and religions.

Alfonso Dastis and Nassir Abdulaziz Al-Nasser thus provided follow-up to the results of the important Summit of Religious Leaders for Peace in the Middle East that took place on 14-16 November 2016 in Alicante and Madrid. The minister conveyed Spain's interest in heading up this initiative to the high representative, based on following up on the proposal presented by religious leaders and implementing the declaration adopted, and the undertaking of education and social communication media projects with young religious leaders.

The minister and the high representative also reviewed some of the proposals that Spain presented within the framework of the Alliance of Civilisations, with the aim of increasing the visibility and effectiveness of its actions and boosting its role as an instrument the prevention of conflicts and in the prevention of violent extremism and radicalisation. Noteworthy among these proposals is the creation of a platform for religious leaders in favour of peace in those conflict zones where it is most urgent for action to be taken; the preparation of a communication strategy; the inclusion of intercultural and interreligious questions on the peacebuilding agenda of the United Nations to help foster reconciliation between different communities, and the role of women in the prevention and resolution of conflicts, in peace processes, on negotiation teams and in the application of peace agreements.