Mediterranean Programme - [02/18/2008]

Spain's Arab and Mediterranean policy debated at the Chamber of Deputies

Working in collaboration with the Chamber of Deputies and Casa Árabe, the CIDOB Foundation held a presentation of No. 79-80 of the CIDOB magazine Afers Internacionals, an issue that is dedicated to Spain's Arab and Mediterranean policy. The presentation also included a round table discussion with representatives from different political parties.

This event, held in Parliament on 13 February, was an excellent opportunity to hold a debate between academics, politicians and diplomats on one of the fundamental priorities of Spain's foreign policy. The presentation of the magazine was carried out by Narcís Serra, President of the CIDOB Foundation, Eduard Soler, head of the Mediterranean Programme and coordinator of the monographic issue and Martín Ortega, Director of the analysis and forecast department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation. The presenters stressed the magazine's breadth of scope in terms of the different issues it covers, as well as how useful these analyses could be in terms of designing Spain's foreign policy.

The presentation was followed by a round table, chaired by the Director General of Casa Árabe, Gema Martín Muñoz, with representatives from five political parties: Fátima Aburto (PSOE) Rafael Monsalve (PP), Jordi Xuclà (CiU), Rosa Maria Bonàs (ERC) and Montserrat Muñoz (IU). Though all five found points in common - such as the need to place the Mediterranean at the centre of foreign policy priorities, the round table highlighted the existence of different (and sometimes opposing) stances with respect to the Alliance of Civilisations or the policy on Western Sahara.

Once again, it became apparent that even though some consensus existed, points of dissent exist over foreign policy, and which each political party will present for the elections, along with their specific proposals. Thus, the result of the elections on 9 March could have a significant impact on foreign policy on the Mediterranean and the Arab world.

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>> Conclusions activity: Spain's Arab and Mediterranean policy under debate (pdf 62kB)