The Minister for Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, attended the first foreign affairs ministerial meeting held following the accession of Finland, at the NATO headquarters in Brussels (Belgium). The issues addressed included Ukraine, the Vilnius Summit, the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood and relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, began his trip to Brussels by attending the ceremony to raise the flag of Finland as the 31st member of NATO. José Manuel Albares congratulated the new Member State and expressed his wish for the ratification of Sweden’s adhesion to NATO to materialise as soon as possible. The accessions of Finland and Sweden will contribute to the consolidation of a safer Euro-Atlantic space.
The minister also mentioned that Spain actively collaborates on the eastern flank to ensure greater security for Europe and for all Spanish people. He stressed the good relations with Türkiye and Spain’s solidarity in the wake of the earthquake suffered a few weeks ago, and advocated maintaining ongoing dialogue.
During the meetings held at the NATO headquarters, the situation in Ukraine, the upcoming Vilnius Summit, the importance of the Southern Neighbourhood and relations with partners in the Indo-Pacific region were addressed. At the meeting on Ukraine, the minister again expressed Spain’s solidarity with and commitment to defend both the people of Ukraine and the country’s territorial integrity. José Manuel Albares had the opportunity to meet up with the Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Dimytro Kuleba, with whom he analysed the current situation and the role of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union regarding Ukraine.
On the margins of the NATO ministerial meeting, Minister Albares also held bilateral meetings with his counterparts from Sweden, the United Kingdom and New Zealand.
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, addresses the media on his arrival in Brussels.
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Raising of the flag of Finland as the 31st member of NATO and start of the session.
Albares during his meeting with his Ukrainian counterpart, Dimytro Kuleba.
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The Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation meets his Swedish counterpart Tobias Billström to discuss Sweden's forthcoming accession to NATO.
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Albares during the meeting with his New Zealand counterpart, Nanaia Mahuta.