The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, travels to Cabo Verde on Tuesday 18 June to strengthen the Spanish Government's commitment to the nation’s economic future and the reforms designed to promote the implementation of the blue economy and increase security.
In this respect, Minister Albares' trip is part of Spain's commitment to the development of Sub-Saharan Africa and the Sahel. Spain is Cabo Verde's first customer and second supplier within the EU in 2022 and wants to remain a strategic economic partner. The African country is also the third largest destination for Spanish investment in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Meetings schedule
During his stay in the country’s capital, Albares will meet with his counterpart Rui Alberto de Figueiredo Soares, following the meeting they held in Madrid last April during President José María Neves’ visit to Spain. On that occasion, Spain and Cabo Verde signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Diplomatic Schools.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs will also meet with the Cabo Verde authorities at the highest level. These meetings follow up the bilateral relationship in a year in which there have been many contacts. For Spain, it is also an opportunity to support Spanish companies operating in the country, which are active in key sectors such as fisheries and tourism development and boost job creation.
From an economic standpoint, Spain and Cabo Verde have an intense relationship, especially in the tourism sector and fish processing. Spain also leads the blue economy and fisheries sector in the European Union’s Budget Support Group.
During his meetings with the Cabo Verde authorities, Albares will ask them to join the International Drought Resilience Alliance promoted by Spain, IDRA, as well as the LGTBI network, in addition to expressing the interest of Spanish companies in increasing their activity in the country.
Cabo Verde, a major partner in Africa for Spain
Cabo Verde is a leading partner for Spain in the African region in terms of governance, rule of law and democracy, and occupies a strategic position due to its location in Africa and its proximity to the Canary Islands, which makes it a key player for maritime security and stability. This relevance is also seen in the field of cooperation which, for 2021-2024, totalled over €10 million financed by the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID).
Spain and Cabo Verde also share points of view in international politics regarding Russia's aggression against Ukraine, condemned by Correia's Government in all UN resolutions, and the conflict in Gaza. Cabo Verde has supported the UN resolution for Palestine to become a full member of the United Nations and has supported Israel's right to defend itself within the limits of international law. Cabo Verde has recognised the State of Palestine since 1988 and the State of Israel since 1994.
NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION