The outbreak of Gaza and the blunt Israeli response to the bloody attack by Hamas has everyone on edge. Gaza is today the center of the world. Two wars are currently taking place at the kneecap between Europe and Russia and at the crossroads of the Middle East. Two simultaneous wars and others in a waiting room: in the Sahel, perhaps in Taiwan one day. Given the new panorama, La Vanguardia has interviewed the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares (Madrid, 1972).
Two simultaneous wars in fracture zones. Are they two wars connected?
We currently have no indication of this. But both wars are enormously worrying, due to the human suffering they entail and the capacity for regional destabilization. Therefore, from Spain, within the framework of the European Union, we are going to try to work so that peace returns as soon as possible. Ten days ago we reaffirmed in Grenada our support for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine. And we will do everything possible to ensure that the violence stops, does not escalate and does not spill over into the entire Middle East.
Does the European Union currently have sufficient political strength, sufficient scale, to face two simultaneous wars?
Yes. Last Tuesday, all the foreign ministers of the European Union met and spoke with a single voice. We reject the terrorist attack against Israel by Hamas. We speak with one voice about Israel’s right to defend itself. We speak with a single voice about the need to respect international humanitarian law at all times and the release of all people who are currently hostages. And now we need to join forces with our colleagues in the region, starting with our Israeli and Palestinian colleagues. Next November 27 there will be a very important meeting in Barcelona of the Union for the Mediterranean, I want to remember that Israel and Palestine sit at that table.
However, the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, the Hungarian Olivér Várhelyi, announced on his own the suspension of humanitarian aid to Gaza.
That was a unilateral, non-consensual decision, which Spain opposed from the first moment. There is not a single indication that a single cent of the aid to the people of Gaza was used for other purposes.
And in Spain is there cohesion? Is there one within the current Government? There was none when the war in Ukraine broke out. These days we hear different accents and non-coinciding background assessments.
The Government is united around the desire for peace to return to the Middle East. That said, I remember that the only two voices that express the official position on foreign policy are that of the President of the Government and that of the Minister of Foreign Affairs. The position of the Government of Spain is the following: Israel has the right to defend itself against the terrorist attack by Hamas. International humanitarian law must always be respected. It is necessary to guarantee the protection of the Palestinian population. Basic services and the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza must be guaranteed. That’s the position.
The Israeli ultimatum has ended. Is the position of the Spanish Government still the same?
[The interview with Minister Albares took place on Friday at noon, this question was incorporated yesterday afternoon].
It is urgent to protect the civilian population, allow aid access to Gaza and ensure respect for international humanitarian law, including the release of hostages. We are ready to increase Spanish aid after an initial support of one million euros this year.
How many Spaniards remain to be repatriated from Israel? How will they face the situation of the Spanish citizen who, according to all indications, is kidnapped by Hamas?
Between Israel and the Palestinian territories there are some 9,000 Spaniards registered at the embassy, ??who we follow very closely to find out who could be repatriated. At the moment we are focusing primarily on evaluating the situation of the Spanish people in Gaza, as we did earlier this week with the Spaniards blocked due to the cancellation of flights. Regarding the missing Spaniard, for his safety and respect for his family, I will not make any comments. We know his identity and we are constantly working to clarify his situation.
This week, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France and Italy, all members of the G-7, issued a joint statement on the situation in the Middle East. Spain was not there. Because?
For a very simple reason. These five countries have long formed an informal group called Quint, very consolidated, to which Spain does not belong. Nobody has marginalized Spain. And it is regrettable that the Popular Party has dedicated itself to demagoguery and misinformation about this statement. The PP is already embracing all the disinformation techniques of the extreme right and Trumpism. It is a regrettable reality.
Are you willing to appear in Congress?
I have no problem appearing before Parliament. I have already spoken with all the parliamentary spokespersons, starting with the PP spokesperson. By the way, I must also point out that the only parliamentary head of the European Parliament who has not wanted to meet to date with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Spain during the Spanish six-month presidency of the European Union is Mr. Manfred Weber, president of the European People’s Party. .
Will there be any special initiatives from the Spanish presidency of the EU in the coming days?
We have been speaking with the high representative [Josep Borrell]. I have mentioned before the meeting of the Union for the Mediterranean that will take place next November 27 in Barcelona and that could be important. Today [Friday] I met with all the ambassadors of the Arab countries to analyze the situation.
At this meeting with the Arab ambassadors, was the Persian ambassador also present?
We have invited the ambassadors of the Arab League, of which Iran is not a part. Iran is a very important country in the Middle East. We must hope that all those countries that can influence Hamas contribute to the cessation of terrorist activities against Israel.
The shockwave of what is happening in Israel and Gaza is very powerful. Do you think a crisis could occur between Morocco and Israel? These two countries have just normalized their diplomatic relations, Israel has recognized Morocco’s sovereignty over Western Sahara, and they have established defense agreements. Do you think that alliance can be broken?
I don’t believe it and I hope that no crisis will occur between Morocco and Israel. Spain is in favor of rapprochement between Arab countries and Israel.
Does the relationship with Algeria remain unalterably cold?
Spain’s hand always remains outstretched.
The Yom Kippur War ended with a phenomenal energy crisis in 1973. Arab countries decided to raise oil prices to punish Western support for Israel. That crisis changed many things in Europe and the United States. Are we going to another major energy crisis?
I think we should not distress the Spanish people unnecessarily. That scenario is not on the table. At this time none of the producing countries is considering it. What is important for Spaniards to know is that our energy needs are perfectly covered and we have very reliable suppliers.
You mentioned Manfred Weber before…
He hasn’t wanted to meet me yet. I have requested it four times. It seems unusual to me.
Does Spain support the candidacy of Ursula von der Leyen to repeat as president of the European Commission?
There’s still time for that. The Government of Spain has an extraordinary relationship with Mrs. Von der Leyen.
It is true, there are still more than seven months until the elections to the European Parliament. In Spain, another issue will have to be resolved first: the investiture of a president of the government. Was it necessary to reach a very complicated parliamentary arithmetic, bordering on the impossible, for the Government to work hard to obtain the recognition of Catalan, Basque and Galician in the European Parliament?
What you say is not entirely true. I want to remember that the government of José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero achieved the introduction of Catalan, Basque and Galician as languages ??of communication with citizens. The treaties have been translated. The European Parliament remained. We put the issue on the table at the last European General Affairs Council and there was no veto. This is very important.
Could there be a resolution on this matter on the 24th?
We are talking to many countries, especially those who wanted to comment on the issue. I am sure that on the 24th we will advance. In Europe things take their time.
Is it true that Italy was about to veto?
I do not want to reveal positions of this or that country. The important thing is that there was no veto.
Do your European colleagues ask you about a possible amnesty for Catalan independentists?
My European colleagues ask me when there will be a government in Spain.
