Latest news with #JoséManuelAlbares
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Spain rejects NATO plans for 5% defence spending target
Spain is opposing NATO's plans to increase defence spending to 5% of gross domestic product (GDP), public broadcaster RTVE reported on Thursday. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez informed NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte of his country's opposition to the new target in a letter, according to reports from RTVE and other media outlets that have seen the letter. The government in Madrid confirmed the report to dpa upon request. Sánchez wrote that an increase in defence spending to a total of 5% of GDP by 2032, as proposed, was "not only unreasonable but even counterproductive" for his country. Therefore, he said, Madrid would "not be able to commit to a specific spending target" at the NATO summit next week in The Hague. The statement from Sánchez is not surprising. At the end of May, Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares stressed during a visit from his German counterpart Johann Wadephul at a joint press conference that Spain was making greater efforts in the defence sector than ever before. The existing NATO target of 2% of GDP was "realistic," he said. Defence Minister Margarita Robles even described the NATO plans as a "big mistake." "We believe that the process cannot consist of first setting a percentage and then determining the capabilities; it must be the other way around," she said. With military expenditure of around 1.3% of GDP, Spain is among the lowest spenders on defence in the alliance. However, in April, the left-wing government announced that it wanted to achieve the 2% target this year. Originally, this was planned for 2029. Madrid intends to spend an additional €10.5 billion ($12 billion), about 50% more than previously planned.
Days of Palestine
a day ago
- Politics
- Days of Palestine
Spain Calls for Arms Embargo on Israel, Renews Push for Iran Diplomacy
DaysofPal – Spain has taken a bold diplomatic stance, calling for a complete arms embargo on Israel for the duration of the war in Gaza, while urging the international community to revive negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program. In an interview with Bloomberg, Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares emphasized the European Union's responsibility, noting: 'We, the European Union, are Israel's largest trading partner worldwide. We Europeans must impose an arms export ban and not sell weapons to Israel as long as this war continues.' Albares urged the EU to mirror its strong stance taken in response to the war in Ukraine, where coordinated sanctions and arms bans were swiftly implemented. 'The EU must act with the same resolve to advance peace efforts in the Middle East,' he added. The minister also voiced concern over rising tensions between Israel and Iran, expressing regret over the absence of any meaningful de-escalation and reiterating the importance of resuming dialogue over Iran's nuclear program, which has stalled amid growing regional instability. This comes on the heels of the Spanish Parliament's May 2025 vote to advance legislation aimed at banning arms trade with Israel, and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez's call for the EU to suspend its association agreement with Israel and implement a comprehensive arms embargo. Spain's firm position reflects growing unease within parts of Europe over continued Israeli military aggression in Gaza, and the need for a principled, unified EU response to uphold international law and human rights. Shortlink for this post:
Zawya
4 days ago
- Politics
- Zawya
Jordan: Foreign minister, counterparts discuss de-escalation efforts, regional developments
AMMAN — Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi on Sunday held separate talks with counterparts of the UAE, Oman, Spain, Canada and Brazil, focusing on urgent efforts to contain the dangerous escalation triggered by Israel's aggression against Iran. In a phone call with UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, both sides condemned the Israeli strike, stressing the importance of intensified joint efforts to halt the dangerous escalation, according to a Foreign Ministry statement. They also called on the UN Security Council to assume its responsibilities in maintaining international peace and security. In another phone call with Omani Foreign Minister Bader Al Busaidi, Safadi stressed the importance of joint action to prevent further deterioration. The two ministers warned of the 'grave' consequences of continued hostilities, reaffirming their condemnation of the Israeli strike on Iran, which they described as a breach of international law and a threat to regional stability. Safadi also held a phone call with Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares, during which the two top diplomats highlighted the serious risks posed by the ongoing escalation to regional and international security. They also called for coordinated international efforts to prevent the conflict from expanding further and to safeguard international peace. The two ministers also discussed the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, urging an immediate halt to Israeli aggression and emphasising the need to ensure the continuous and unimpeded delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave. Also on Saturday, Safadi and Canadian Foreign Minister Anita Anand went over ongoing efforts to de-escalate regional tensions. The two ministers reviewed the ramifications of the Israeli strike on Iran, with Safadi describing the attack as a dangerous act of aggression that threatens to further inflame regional conflict and instability. Safadi and Anand underscored the urgent need to intensify diplomatic efforts to contain the crisis and prevent a broader escalation, reiterating the 'strong' Jordanian-Canadian partnership and their shared commitment to promoting security, stability and peace across the region. During another phone call on Saturday, Safadi and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira warned that the ongoing escalation in the region threatens to fuel wider conflict. The two ministers also discussed the repercussions of the Israeli aggression against Iran on regional stability and reiterated their countries' condemnation of the attack. Safadi and Vieira stressed the urgent need to stop Israeli military operations in Gaza and ensure the immediate and adequate delivery of humanitarian aid through UN agencies. They emphasised that violence, aggression, and violations of international law will only deepen the crisis and prolong instability, underscoring that lasting peace and security can only be achieved through a just and comprehensive resolution based on the two-state solution.
Jordan News
6 days ago
- Politics
- Jordan News
Safadi Warns of Escalation's Impact on Regional and Global Security - Jordan News
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi discussed today with Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union, and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, the ongoing efforts to halt the dangerous escalation in the region resulting from the Israeli aggression against Iran. اضافة اعلان The two ministers emphasized the grave risks posed by the continued escalation to regional and global security, underlining the urgent need for collective regional and international action to contain the situation and prevent it from spiraling into a broader conflict that would threaten international peace and stability. Safadi and Albares also reviewed the situation in the Gaza Strip, reiterating the urgent need for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression and the assurance of sufficient and sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to the besieged enclave, which is suffering from an escalating humanitarian catastrophe caused by the ongoing attacks.
Ammon
6 days ago
- Politics
- Ammon
FM, Spanish counterpart discuss efforts to halt dangerous regional escalation
Ammon News - Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates Ayman Safadi discussed on Saturday efforts aimed at halting the dangerous escalation in the region resulting from the Israeli aggression against Iran with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares. The two sides stressed the danger of the continued escalation to regional and international security, and the need for concerted regional and international efforts to contain it and prevent the situation from deteriorating into a broader confrontation that threatens international peace and security. Safadi and Albares also discussed the situation in the Gaza Strip, stressing the need for an immediate end to the Israeli aggression and ensuring the adequate and regular delivery of humanitarian aid to the Strip, which is suffering from a worsening humanitarian disaster caused by the aggression.
