Spain Champions a Two-Speed Europe and Justice Leadership in EU Sovereignty and Strategy
Spain, through leaders like José Manuel Albares and Ana Gallego, advances a two-speed Europe and robust justice policies to strengthen EU sovereignty amid global challenges.
- • José Manuel Albares supports a 'two-speed Europe' for EU external policies, aligning with Germany and advocating for a European army to enhance sovereignty.
- • Albares highlights challenges due to U.S. policy shifts and Russian aggression, urging Europe to control its destiny and political power.
- • Ana Gallego, as Director General of Justice at the European Commission, strengthens EU rule of law and fundamental rights, especially amid democratic backsliding.
- • Spain's diplomacy includes cultural dialogue on regional languages and engagement with Venezuela, alongside calls to resolve the Western Sahara conflict.
Key details
Spain is playing a pivotal role in shaping the European Union's political strategy and sovereignty, especially through its stance on foreign affairs and justice policy amid evolving global challenges.
José Manuel Albares, Spain's Minister of Foreign Affairs, advocates for a "two-speed Europe" approach to external EU actions. In an interview with La Vanguardia, Albares highlighted the alignment between Spain and Germany on major defense and European projects, underscoring their leadership in advancing EU objectives such as the Mercosur agreement. He emphasized that if voluntary coalitions can handle external missions, vital European societal goals should be pursued similarly. Albares recalled the nearly realized 1952 EU defense community and stressed the need for a true European army to convert economic power into political influence and deterrence. He identified current fractures in the international order due to shifts in U.S. transatlantic policies and Russian aggression against Ukraine. Albares also addressed cultural issues such as the potential official recognition of Catalan, Basque, and Galician languages within EU institutions and underscored Spain's unique diplomatic engagement with both the Venezuelan government and opposition. Additionally, he called for a resolution to the Western Sahara conflict, highlighting Spain's historical ties.
On the justice front, Ana Gallego, Director General of Justice at the European Commission since 2021, represents a key Spanish figure in reinforcing EU legal frameworks and sovereignty. With a background rooted in Spanish public administration and legal cooperation, Gallego has led efforts to uphold the rule of law and fundamental rights across the EU, gaining increased prominence amid democratic backsliding in Hungary, Poland, and Slovakia. The Commissioner’s office is responsible for the widely referenced rule of law report, vital to safeguarding European values during challenging times such as the ongoing Ukraine war. Colleagues praise her strong management and negotiation skills, highlighting her role beyond legal matters towards defending European democratic principles.
Together, Albares and Gallego exemplify Spain's influential contribution to strengthening the EU's external policy coherence and legal integrity as the bloc navigates a complex international landscape.
This article was translated and synthesized from Spanish sources, providing English-speaking readers with local perspectives.
