Margarita Robles takes stock and frames future goals for Armed Forces on Official Military Holiday

"This tradition, which dates back to 1782, has become a declaration of loyalty, admiration and gratitude by the Armed Forces to Your Majesty and the Crown, and through both, to Spanish society to which we all owe a duty", she said.

Margarita Robles stressed before the King, "the pride we feel, following the commemoration of the 40th anniversary of our Constitution, which enshrines broad rights and liberties, creating a framework for co-existence in which we can all live under the rule of law and respect for democratic values". "This Constitution", she added, "has placed the Armed Forces as the main guarantors of the constitutional order, making defence policy a State matter designed to foster stability, progress and peace".

The minister paid special tribute to all those men and women of the Armed Forces, the Guardia Civil and the National Intelligence Centre who have given their lives or were injured in acts of service, particularly over the last year, and also recognised the efforts made by their families.

While taking stock of her first few months heading up the department, Margarita Robles highlighted how "she has got to know the spirit of the men and women that make up the Armed Forces, the Guardia Civil and the National Intelligence Centre, and how, inspired by the values enshrined in the Constitution, these are maintained as a guarantee of liberty, justice, pluralism and solidarity, with very high levels of training and professionalism". She also stressed "the deserved respect and admiration that they inspire in Spanish society; the highest levels in our recent history, according to sociological studies".

International missions

The minister underlined the commitment to peace and international law of the Armed Forces, and recalled that this year, 2019, is the 30th anniversary of the first participation by Spanish servicemen in peacekeeping operations. "Over this time, the international arena has changed considerably. We are aware that in the current panorama it is essential to be influential and work in an international alliance with our allies and partners", she stated.

The minister recalled how Spain is currently taking part in military operations and training and observation missions overseas, within the framework of the United Nations, NATO and the European Union, as well as at a multilateral and bilateral level, and also on cooperative security operations. The Spanish Armed Forces currently have more than 3,000 servicemen deployed in the Middle East, Europe, Africa, Asia and Ibero-America.

"We are the largest contributor, in terms of troop numbers, to European Union operations", highlighted Margarita Robles, who recalled how last year Spain headed up, among others and for the seventh time, the naval force under Operation Atalanta to fight piracy in the Indian Ocean. "This operation was backed by Spain, and its General Operational Headquarters, by a decision of the European Council, will be transferred to Rota Naval Base, which will commence operations in March".

Capabilities

As regards material and technological capabilities, the minister highlighted how "we are taking on a firm commitment to guarantee national defence". Margarita Robles recalled how investment in military capabilities is necessary, not only for the defence of Spain's interests, but also "as part of a collective responsibility and international agreement with our partners and allies".

She also highlighted how the national defence policy has a real impact, not only in improving military capabilities but also in boosting employment and the Spanish industrial sector. According to Margarita Robles, "a considerable effort has been made in defence resources, which has allowed fundamental programmes to modernise our Armed Forces to be pushed through". Margarita Robles advocated focusing technology investments in such areas as artificial intelligence and exploring space to the benefit of the interests of national security.

In relation to the efforts made to try and reverse the situation caused by the years of crisis in living conditions for Spanish servicemen, "an action plan has been initiated to improve living standards at bases and barracks, which spans logistics storage, sports installations, the construction of education centres for children and improved connectivity".

Margarita Robles particularly highlighted how "we have enhanced the policy of effective equality between men and women in service through significant improvements in the reconciliation of family, personal and professional life". The minister recalled how 2018 saw the 30th anniversary of the incorporation of women in the Armed Forces. This incorporation "not only meant great progress in terms of equality, but also how, as is internationally accepted, this meant incorporating added value to the capabilities of our Armed Forces, particularly in interventions in crises and the projection of stability".

Central event

The central event of Pascua Militar - a celebration introduced by King Carlos III to commemorate the recapture of the island of Minorca that had been taken by the English, in which the monarch congratulates and is congratulated by the Armed Forces - began at noon with the arrival of the Royal Family at the Palace.

The monarchs were received by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Ministers for Defence, Margarita Robles, and for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska - who attended the event for the first time - and by the Chief of the Defence Staff, Army General Fernando Alejandre.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia were then greeted in the Gasparini Room by officers representing the Central Defence Body, the Armed Forces, the Guardia Civil, and veterans' associations. In the Throne Room, and after presenting the King with several decorations, the Minister for Defence gave the traditional speech by the head of her department to His Majesty the King.

The Pascua Militar event is closed off by a speech by His Majesty the King, in which he declared his recognition of the work carried out by the Armed Forces and urged them to continue their efforts in serving Spain.

Non official translation