ISTANBUL: Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno reiterated on Wednesday the urgency of a swift and lasting cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks since last October have killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and more than half of the population is facing catastrophic levels of hunger.
‘We expressed the need for an immediate and permanent cease-fire. We said that unconditional humanitarian aid must reach Gaza,” Albares told a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara.
Albares highlighted Spain’s significant increase in humanitarian aid since the conflict’s onset, and reiterated the call for the release of all hostages.
Albares paid an official visit to Trkiye for a bilateral meeting with Fidan, and discussed Trkiye-EU relations and current regional and international developments including the crisis in Gaza and other challenges in the Middle East.
He said they also talked about ‘what efforts they can make and how peace can be restored in the Middle East.”
‘Spain is strengthening its peace policy with the whole world and its partners,” he said.
Albares emphasized that ‘future of peace in the region” necessitates the ‘establishment of a permanent state of Palestine.”
‘The state of Palestine must be established permanently,” he said.
Stressing the importance of enduring peace, the Spanish minister highlighted that ”security, peace, and stability” are essential not only for Palestinians and Israelis but also ”for all nations in the Middle East.”
He also mentioned the pressing issue of hunger among Palestinians, emphasizing the need for immediate measures to ensure people receive aid across the continent and globally.
‘Realistically, we want Palestine and Gaza to form a state together, with Palestine’s own corridor, but also with transportation to Jerusalem. That’s why we also want to organize a peace conference,” Albares noted.
He stated that Spain took the lead in imposing sanctions in this matter, saying: ‘We are here against imperialism. So, we a
re against the Israeli behavior and attitudes here again in violation of international law. At the same time, we are not supplying more weapons to Israel. We want peace now.”
He underscored the ‘significant role Trkiye plays” particularly in light of the ‘major crisis currently facing” the world.
This crisis has been thoroughly deliberated upon in ‘brainstorming sessions” between the foreign ministers, Albares said.
– ‘We consistently support dialogue between Trkiye-EU’
Albares underscored the robust and multifaceted relationship between Spain and Trkiye, highlighting their political, economic, and cultural ties.
The minister also emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two countries, which are located at opposite ends of the Mediterranean Sea.
He noted the mutual membership of both nations in the Mediterranean Union and praised their shared commitment to dialogue and cooperation.
He acknowledged Trkiye’s membership in NATO and its candidacy for the European Union, expressing Spain
‘s unwavering support for Trkiye’s European aspirations.
‘We consistently support the dialogue between Trkiye and the European Union and we want the candidacy to be approved,’ the minister said, highlighting Trkiye’s importance as a partner.
Albares told reporters that he believes all EU countries should actively support Trkiye’s EU membership bid.
While there are established ‘roadmaps’ for progress, ‘further efforts’ are needed, especially concerning the existing ‘Customs Union’ between Trkiye and the EU.
‘We should double our efforts in these matters. As a member state of the European Union, Spain will strive to ensure that this dynamic does not stop,’ he said, adding that both Spain and Trkiye see the country’s future as being in Europe.
– Trkiye overcome insecurity in Black Sea
The minister also emphasized Trkiye’s pivotal role in regional stability, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.
‘Trkiye has taken a very successful stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It overcame the ins
ecurity in the Black Sea, including food insecurity, last year,’ Albares said, adding that they will ‘all make efforts for Ukraine to be freer, sovereign, and respected.’
He also highlighted the strong relationship between Spain and Trkiye in NATO, which has resulted from collaboration on defense projects, participation in a NATO mission in Spain, and joint operations.
He said they recently met at a summit in Madrid and reaffirmed the importance of all NATO allies.
‘There are certain threats ahead of us. There are threats coming from the south,’ he said.
– Spain’s investments in crucial sectors
He emphasized the strong economic ties between Spain and Trkiye, noting that over ‘700 Spanish companies operating in Trkiye’ contribute ‘$19 billion in trade volume.
These companies invest in crucial sectors like ‘infrastructure, energy, health care, and railways.’
‘This visit is already one of the greatest proofs that Trkiye is a true ally and friend of Spain,’ he remarked.
Furthermore, the minister announced
that Spain will host the next summit in 2024, highlighting the importance of this event in fostering greater collaboration and understanding between the two countries.
Source: Anadolu Agency