The visit began at the airport in the Afghan capital, where ten Spanish servicemen are stationed as part of the logistics support unit. After having breakfast with the soldiers, the minister met with Colonel Sebastián Vega Murcia, the leader of the contingent, who reported to the minister on the mission and the activities carried out as part of the operation.
Subsequently, Pedro Morenés travelled on-board a US Sikorsky helicopter to the headquarters of Operation Resolute Support in the Afghan capital, where he was received by the Spanish Ambassador to Afghanistan, Emilio Pérez de Ágreda, who accompanied him during his visit. Here he met with the officers stationed at the headquarters and the British General Tim Radford, second-in-command of the operation.
In his statements, the minister highlighted the 14 years of Spanish involvement in the mission, "during which time Spain has given the best of itself, including the lives of 100 soldiers and two interpreters". "Their memory remains alive in all Spaniards, especially the members of our military", he added.
Pedro Morenés stressed that there are three fundamental aspects to any mission: completion of the mission; compliance with the agreements reached between allied and friendly nations; and the safety of those deployed. This makes Spain "a global benchmark in terms of solidarity, democracy, principles, values, well-being and progress", he said.
Meeting with police officers
Furthermore, the Minister for Defence attended a meeting with the police officers providing security services to the Spanish embassy, at which he praised "the fine example of camaraderie and the bravery" of their colleagues who were recently killed in an attack, expressing his "pride" in their work.
Finally, the Minister for Defence travelled to the Afghan Defence Ministry to meet with his Afghan counterpart, Mohammed Masoon Staneckza. At this meeting, Pedro Morenés reiterated Spain's gratitude to the Afghan Government for the operation carried out by the police forces of the country on 11 and 12 December to liberate the Spanish Embassy in Kabul. The Spanish minister reiterated Spain's commitment to lasting security and stability in Afghanistan.
Spanish military presence in Afghanistan
On 25 January 2002, Spain undertook an ongoing presence in Afghanistan by joining Operation Rebuild Afghanistan by deploying military units in Kabul as part of the International Security and Assistance Force (ISAF).
After 14 years, the last contingent of Spanish forces lowered the national flag in October 2015. Since then, a small unit of Spanish servicemen has remained as part of the headquarters of Operation Resolute Support, which replaced the ISAF.
Spain has continued to make great efforts to help build international security and stability, as well as foster security, governability and economic and social development in Afghanistan.
These efforts have led to over 30,000 Spanish servicemen passing through Afghanistan to complete their missions as part of various contingents. Among other things, their actions have included over 28,000 patrols, 1,400 bomb disposal missions and over 1,000 weapon inspection and control tasks. All this has required Spanish servicemen in Afghanistan to travel over three million kilometres.
There are currently 20 Spanish servicemen stationed in the country, 18 from the Spanish Army and two from the Spanish Air Force. This contingent has advisors in various fields and advisors forming part of the mission headquarters. Furthermore, Colonel Vega is entrusted with advising the Afghan National Logistics Director who is in charge of 11 logistics centres in and around the nation's capital.
Ministerio de Defensa