José Manuel Albares calls on the European Union to strengthen its relations with the Mediterranean countries in Brussels

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, took part in the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting on the eve of the Foreign Affairs Council. At the meeting, which was attended by foreign ministers from the Southern Neighbourhood countries, Albares called for the EU to strengthen its political relationship with the region, fostering a partnership of equals to address priority areas of common interest. He also highlighted the role of the Union for the Mediterranean, whose headquarters are in Barcelona, in achieving these objectives.

The EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting, which took place for the first time in three years, included an initial session focused on the Pact for the Mediterranean. This is a new instrument that should enhance all EU programmes and lines of action with its Mediterranean partners, with an increasingly important role for the Union for the Mediterranean. Albares argued that the Pact should include political dialogue, as a "central axis" for building together an area of "shared security and prosperity between the EU and the Mediterranean".

The two-state solution

The second part of the ministerial meeting, in the form of a working dinner, was aimed at analysing the current geopolitical situation in the region. It was another opportunity for the minister to recall the centrality of the Palestinian question, and the importance of more countries recognising the state of Palestine, as Spain has done. Albares insisted that "implementing once and for all the two-state solution is the only possible basis for peace and stability in the region".

The meeting was attended by High Representative Kaja Kallas, Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica and the Secretary General of the Union for the Mediterranean Nasser Kamel, as well as EU and Mediterranean foreign ministers.

Bilateral meetings

On the sidelines of this meeting, Albares held a bilateral meeting with Maros Sefcovic, Commissioner for Trade of the European Commission, to whom he expressed his support in the negotiation of tariffs with the United States. He also reminded him of the importance of strengthening unity and seeking to defend the interests of Europeans, their businesses, consumers and workers. They also discussed the next steps for the entry into force of the agreement in relation to Gibraltar.

In addition, Albares held bilateral meetings with the foreign ministers of Morocco, Nasser Bourita; Jordan, Ayman Safadi; Egypt, Badr Abdelatty; Palestine, Varsen Aghabekian Shaheen; Syria, Assad al-Shaibani; Lebanon, Youssef Rjei; and Israel, Gideon Sa'ar. With all of them he addressed the geopolitical situation in the region, stressing the need to reach a ceasefire in Gaza, to allow humanitarian aid in, the unconditional release of the hostages and the demand to respect international law and international humanitarian law.

Non official translation