This conference, formerly known as Wehrkunde, was founded back in 1963 with the aim of debating threats in the Euro-Atlantic region, in an independent manner. Over time, issues of international current affairs and other geographic areas have also become the subject for debate.
Minister Dastis made a speech at a round table on European defence. In this speech, he developed arguments as to why Spain is in favour of progressing towards a genuine European defence policy. Firstly, he pointed out, Europe has interests, values and principles of its own that it fosters around the world and that, as a last resort, it must be in a position to defend itself from potential threats. Furthermore, Europe is under an obligation to become a responsible and differentiated player in this broader space that we share with America, from Alaska down to Patagonia.
The minister committed to strengthening coordination between Member States with a view to their ultimate integration, harnessing, to this end, the tools already provided for in the treaties, with a view to moving towards a genuine common security and defence policy; particularly through the creation of permanent capabilities to plan and carry out operations, the launch of permanent structured cooperation, the development of an internal defence market and through mobilising financial resources within the framework of the European Defence Fund.
Ministerio de Asuntos Exteriores y de Cooperación