José Manuel Albares, the Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, has raised alarm over the resurgence of “unsettling anti-Moroccan stances” within the Popular Party (PP).
During an interview with ‘La Vanguardia’, Minister José Manuel Albares expressed his observation that the Popular Party (PP) is reverting to its roots by adopting confrontational positions towards Morocco.
Minister José Manuel Albares has emphasized the importance of maintaining the current positive relationship with Morocco, highlighting its mutual benefits and its crucial significance for regions such as Ceuta, Melilla, the Canary Islands, and Andalusia.
According to Minister José Manuel Albares, the scheduling of elections does not diminish the significance of Spain’s presidency of the EU Council, as the European Union is accustomed to navigating electoral periods during its six-month presidencies. He further emphasized that the government has exerted significant efforts to ensure that the presidency remains a comprehensive national endeavor.
Minister José Manuel Albares expressed his surprise regarding the composition of the proposed working group by PP candidate Alberto Núñez Feijóo, in the event that they assume the Spanish presidency of the EU after the 23rd of July. He pointed out that the majority of the members are male, and many of them held positions in Spain’s foreign policy during a period characterized by significant divergence from the EU, specifically during the Iraq war.
Minister José Manuel Albares criticized the Popular Party (PP), accusing them of exclusively prioritizing Cuba, Venezuela, and Nicaragua in their foreign policy agenda. He alleged that the PP selectively seeks to establish relations only with governments that align with its ideological stance. In contrast, he assured that the government values all countries in Latin America equally and strives to cultivate relationships based on shared values rather than ideological alignment.