Albares welcomes India, Turkey, Angola and the AEC as new observers at the Ibero-American Conference

On Tuesday 3 November, the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, welcomed India, Turkey, Angola and the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) as new observers to the Ibero-American Conference, during the High-Level Dialogue with Associated and Consultative Observers, which he chaired in Madrid as part of the Ibero-American Summit.

The meeting, organised by the Spanish Pro Tempore Secretariat, brought together Ibero-American foreign ministers and representatives of states and observer organisations to exchange views on the main global challenges and explore new avenues for cooperation.

The inclusion of the new observers expands the presence of partners from Europe, Asia, Africa and the Caribbean within a forum that brings together 22 countries and nearly 700 million citizens. "The participation of these new observers strengthens the global reach of the Ibero-American Community and highlights the growing interest in collaborating with a forum for dialogue, political consultation and cooperation that has a remarkable capacity to build consensus amongst diverse countries," emphasised Albares.

The dialogue forms part of the Ibero-American Summit in Madrid, an edition that is particularly symbolic as it marks the 35th anniversary of the first Summit, held in Guadalajara (Mexico) in 1991. Over the coming days, the foreign ministers will continue their meetings, which will be followed by meetings of the heads of state and government, bringing to a close two years of dialogue and political consultation amongst the 22 Ibero-American countries.

Bilateral meetings

On the fringes of the meeting, Albares signed the General Treaty of Friendship and Co-operation between the two countries with Panama's Minister for Foreign Affairs, Javier Martínez-Acha. The new text replaces the 1953 treaty - which was pre-constitutional in nature and limited to the peaceful settlement of disputes - and brings the framework of the relationship into line with current realities.

The treaty reflects the close ties of friendship and mutual respect, as well as the historical, cultural and linguistic links between Spain and Panama, and commits both States to strengthening their coordination in the political, economic, technological, educational, cultural, legal and consular fields, as well as in the area of development cooperation.

He has also met with Sergio Díaz-Granados, the president of CAF - the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean.

Water and climate resilience

At the start of the day, Albares brought together representatives from Ibero-American countries and international organisations at the AECID to discuss the challenges posed by extreme hydrometeorological events and the role of international cooperation in strengthening climate resilience and water security in the region.

Taking part in the session were, amongst others, Bolivia's Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Vice-president of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), Everett H. Eissenstat, and the Secretary for Ibero-American Cooperation, Lorena Larios Rodríguez.

Ibero-American Business Forum

Albares also took part in the opening of the Ibero-American Business Forum, which is being held on 3 and 4 November with the aim of promoting a common agenda for innovation, sustainable production transformation and economic integration.

The minister emphasised that "our External Action Strategy links competitiveness with economic security and the reduction of vulnerabilities. In a changing geopolitical environment, supporting businesses is not a secondary task; it is a core responsibility of our external action".

Non official translation