Maria Margarete Gosse (Munich, 1962) has been ambassador of the Federal Republic of Germany in Spain since August 2022. Mrs. Gosse, who was consul in Barcelona between 1996 and 1999, knows Spain well. La Vanguardia interviewed the ambassador yesterday to get her opinion on bilateral relations and the stage that opens with the new Spanish legislature.
What are now the most important points on the bilateral agenda?
First of all, I have to say that during the last four years, Germany and Spain have worked very well. We are also working well during the Spanish semi-annual presidency of the European Union. Main topics: Ukraine, in the foreground. The enlargement of the Union, with the reforms that must accompany it. We are going to need the efforts of all those who have such European visions as Spain and Germany.
However, the Spanish presidency has been overshadowed by the general elections in July and the exhausting negotiations to form a government.
We can only say that progress has been made on important issues. For example, in immigration policy. Progress is also being made in the construction of the Union's new financial framework. Progress has also been made in the design of the electricity market. They are all major issues. It is a very professional presidency.
You just mentioned the war in Ukraine. When the Russian invasion began, the energy alarm went off. Gas and oil. In 2022, a winter of restrictions was feared. Europe resisted. However, the problem is not resolved...
...No it's not...
At that time, Germany was betting heavily on energy connections with the Iberian Peninsula. She supported, for example, the resumption of the Midcat gas pipeline, which France did not want to support, proposing the alternative of hydrogen. Is that interest maintained?
Yes, it remains. We fully support the H2Med hydrogen transportation project [future underwater pipeline between the ports of Barcelona and Marseille]. It is a very important project for Germany and all of central Europe. On October 18, an important agreement was signed between the German gas operator OGE and operators from France, Spain and Portugal, including the company Enagas. Germany continues to support the project, without a doubt.
Does Germany maintain its interest in improving its relations with the countries of North Africa, especially with Morocco and Algeria?
Yes, that interest remains. We had a critical period with Morocco, which is in the process of normalization and rapprochement. Germany's relationship with Morocco has a lot of potential. With Algeria we have also made progress, for example, promoting the Algeria-Italy-Austria-Germany energy corridor.
The energy problem gained its peak with the war in Ukraine, but now there are two wars that concern Europe: the one in Ukraine and the one in Gaza. And the war in Gaza also concerns the countries of North Africa.
Let's go by parts. Indeed, there are two crises, there are two wars that affect Europe in different ways. Russia's aggression against Ukraine takes place on European soil. It is a war that takes place on the European border. It is very close. It concerns us very directly. Therefore, let us not fall into the trap of stopping paying attention to Ukraine, and only looking at the Middle East. Russia must not win that war.
Are you talking about distraction?
We can't get distracted, exactly. I believe that European politics and European public opinion have to be able to deal with two crises simultaneously. Unfortunately, we can't leave one for the other. Germany will continue supporting Ukraine. The European Union, as a whole, will also do so. Also Spain. Finally it will be up to the Ukrainians to say when they see a possibility of getting out of the war and ending it. Until we reach that point, we will support Ukraine to recover its territorial integrity.
Loop. In the face of the Gaza war, Europe is not as united as in Ukraine.
If the Gaza conflict succeeds in dividing Europe, the anti-democratic forces will have won. I have to say one thing with maximum clarity. In Germany, the greatest crime of humanity was committed, the genocide against the Jewish people that almost exterminated the Jews. Six million people murdered. For this serious historical reason, Israel's security is a reason of state for Germany. We support Israel's right to defend itself from Hamas, an Islamist terrorist organization whose objective is to destroy the State of Israel and impose a caliphate. This does not mean that we do not take into account the enormous suffering resulting from the Hamas attack. We are doing everything possible to alleviate this situation. We have doubled our humanitarian aid, reaching 161 million euros, and if necessary we will increase it again. But we cannot allow the rise of anti-Semitism in Europe. There is no justification for anti-Semitism. None. We are seeing attacks on Jewish people and Jewish institutions, also in Germany, that we cannot accept.
Spain is mostly pro-Palestinian. Do you think there is antisemitism in Spain?
I think that's happening all over Europe, unfortunately.
Finally, I would like to ask you about the Spanish political situation.
Well... (pause). We diplomats do not usually make many comments on domestic politics. I can only say that we have worked very well with the Government of Spain during the previous term and I hope that this will continue in this new term. I think it will be like that.
Allow me one last question. Do you see democracy in Spain in danger?
I believe that what is being done in Spain is within the Constitution.
