Albares places Ceuta and Melilla at the centre of the European debate and calls for EU unity in the face of global challenges

​The Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, took part on Tuesday and Wednesday in the informal meeting of Foreign ministers from the Member States of the European Union, which took place in Ireland, the country currently holding the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union.

The minister placed Ceuta and Melilla at the centre of the European debate. In the words of Minister Albares: "Spain's land borders in Ceuta and Melilla are also the EU's southern land borders, and we expect the same support and solidarity from all countries".

Thus, having previously congratulated the city of Ceuta and its residents, Albares emphasised to his European counterparts the importance of a united and supportive European Union that enhances the effectiveness, impact and agility of its actions. The minister recalled that Spain is a country that shows solidarity and has always stood by its European partners, as it did in 2021 when Belarus resorted to hybrid threats and used migration against many countries bordering the EU.

Ukraine and the Middle East

The minister emphasised the priority of promoting de-escalation with Iran, by fostering dialogue and upholding respect for international law.

With regard to Gaza and the West Bank, Albares highlighted the need to invest greater efforts in combating impunity, preventing a further deterioration of the situation on the ground and curbing the actions of extremists in Israel, whilst upholding the two-State solution. Furthermore, the European Union must take a firm stance in rejecting violations of Lebanon's territorial integrity.

The minister also addressed the war in Ukraine, expressing his full solidarity in the face of the ongoing conflict and calling for greater financial and military support for Ukraine. Albares pointed out that the war in Ukraine involves hybrid actions that affect more than just that country. In this regard, Minister Albares also expressed his full solidarity with partner countries that are victims of Russian attacks, highlighting Spain's readiness to respond immediately, as recently demonstrated in Romania.

Bilateral meetings

As part of the Gymnich meeting, the minister met with his counterparts from Norway, France, Ukraine and Malta, with whom he discussed the main items on the bilateral and international agenda.

For images, click here​