The President of the Government of Spain defends unity and cohesion to face global challenges

Madrid

The 30 countries are joined by the four Asia-Pacific partners (Australia, Japan, South Korea and New Zealand), as well as Sweden, Finland and Georgia, the President of the European Council, Charles Michel, and the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen.

During the meeting, the leaders discussed the interest of many countries in strengthening the dialogue between NATO and the EU, which the Alliance considers an "essential partner" with common goals in support of international peace and security. The willingness to strengthen the relationship between the two organisations was also noted and areas of cooperation of common interest were highlighted.

With regard to the Asia-Pacific partners, who are essential to the commitment to a more global agenda, the leaders expressed their interest in strengthening political dialogue and practical cooperation. In this regard, the areas of cooperation identified are arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation, counter-terrorism, cyber defence, hybrid activities, climate change and security, maritime security, resilience, the rules-based international order, strategic perspectives on regional security and technology.

The leaders also discussed the NATO membership applications of Sweden and Finland. In this regard, Pedro Sánchez congratulated the presidents of Turkey and Finland and the Prime Minister of Sweden for the agreement reached yesterday, and for Stoltenberg's support, which opens the door to the accession of "two important democracies" which, as he stressed, "I am convinced will make us stronger".

Also discussed at he meeting were the global challenge posed by China and the Madrid Declaration, a document endorsed today by the Allies that sets out the issues discussed at the Summit. The leaders also addressed the fight against climate change and its link to security, maritime security, hybrid threats, disruptive emerging technologies, cyber threats and space.

Meeting with Sweden in the framework of the NATO Summit

Foto: Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The President of the Government of Spain held a meeting with the Swedish Prime Minister, Magdalena Andersson, to whom Sánchez reiterated Spain's support for Sweden's entry into NATO, qualifying the country as "a consolidated democracy whose membership of the Atlantic Alliance will contribute to strengthening the deterrence and defence capacity of the northern and eastern flanks".

Sánchez has expressed to the Swedish Prime Minister his admiration for the political change that Sweden has so quickly assimilated in adopting the decision to join NATO in response to the new security context in Europe.

Non official translation