Pedro Sánchez: "In a divided and increasingly multipolar world, Spain is committed to sensible internationalism"

Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, opened the Conference of Ambassadors, thanking them for their work and outlining three priorities to guide foreign policy over the course of this year: priorities based on more Europe, more and better multilateralism, and more democracy.

Given the uncertainty caused by scenarios such as the US intervention in Venezuela, the war in Ukraine, and the situation in Palestine, Pedro Sánchez emphasised that Spain's response is to redouble its commitment to multilateralism, defend the rules-based international order, and reaffirm the values and principles enshrined in the Charter of the United Nations.

President Sánchez highlighted Spain's commitment to "sensible internationalism" as a response to the rise of a policy of blocs and spheres of influence that fragments international cooperation and transforms interdependence into competition.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets the attendees of the event | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

At the European level, the President of the Government of Spain advocated for an ambitious Multiannual Financial Framework for 2028-2034 that would allocate 2% of GDP to develop pan-European public goods, boost innovation, lead the green and digital transitions, and continue supporting the primary sector and territorial cohesion. He also pointed out that a more prosperous and social Europe requires guaranteeing security. He argued that it is essential to strengthen security by improving investment, supporting industry, and developing capabilities in an integrated manner to achieve a "true European Union of Security and Defence, with a 360-degree vision".

Pedro Sánchez also stressed the need to defend the European project against nationalist and populist impulses, and asserted that Spain will continue to be "that voice of reason, solidarity, and human dignity" within the European Union.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, pose in the family photo of the meeting | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Furthermore, he reaffirmed the reform and improvement of multilateralism as a priority, including in the governance of the technological revolution, explaining that Artificial Intelligence is not an end in itself, but rather a tool at the service of people and their rights. He also highlighted multilateral tools for defending global security and conveyed Spain's commitment to collaborating with international organisations on the defence of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons.

President Sánchez reaffirmed his commitment to promoting the European initiative "In Defence of Democracy" and stressed the need to defend rights and freedoms, also focusing on the defence of the regulatory and digital sovereignty achieved in recent decades.

Non official translation