The King has made a clear defense of "multilateralism, peace and the fight against any type of violence", in his speech before the representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain, gathered in the traditional ceremony that every beginning of the year, presided over by the Reyes, takes place in the Royal Palace, in Madrid. In total there are 125 resident embassies in our country, in addition to 800 consulates and 41 international organizations with headquarters or offices in Spain, whose top representatives also have diplomatic status. Another 49 countries are accredited to Spain, but have residence in Paris, London, Brussels or Geneva. The reception was attended by the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares.
The King began his words by recalling that in one month it will be one year since the start of Russia's war against Ukraine. "Spain has condemned, and will continue to do so, this flagrant violation of the most fundamental norms and principles of International Law and the UN Charter, including those of sovereignty and territorial integrity of States." "Spain has shown its support for Ukraine from the beginning, in the bilateral and multilateral sphere, both with the supply of military equipment and the necessary humanitarian material in the face of the indiscriminate Russian attacks on civil infrastructures", the monarch highlighted in his speech during the reaction to the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain.
In the opinion of Felipe VI, "the response has been very outstanding, also demonstrating the unity of the partners and allies in the EU and NATO". On this point, he stressed that the reaction of the international community has been "firm and forceful" and Spain's commitment to "multilateralism." "The only effective way," he said, "to respond to global challenges that exceed the capacity of states, such as humanitarian, health or environmental and climate crises; as well as large migratory movements, illicit trafficking and criminal networks, obstacles and imbalances in international trade or large scientific research projects".
The king has also referred to another aspect of Spanish foreign policy, such as the work of cooperation and humanitarian aid that is carried out through the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development (ACEID) and the people who work in different projects, recalling Queen Letizia's trips (the last one to Mauritania) to see them first-hand. Spain, as Felipe VI has recalled, is the seventh largest donor worldwide and the second in Latin America and the Caribbean, and has maintained its commitment to humanitarian issues in Afghanistan or Ukraine.
Among the challenges that Spain is facing this year at the international level, the King stated that Spain will address them with "initiative and leadership", always putting "our defense of multilateralism, peace and the fight against any type of violence" first.
As announced by the King in his speech before the diplomatic corps, Spain will open, in September, a delegation of the UN Office to Combat Terrorism (UNOCT) in Madrid and will work to host the 2nd Global Congress of Victims in our country, in 2024.
Within the Ibero-American sphere, a priority in Spain's foreign policy, the King recalled the upcoming meetings of "like-minded peoples who share deep and close historical, cultural, linguistic and human ties", both in the next Ibero-American Summit to be held in the Dominican Republic, between March 24 and 25, as the convocation of the International Congress of the Spanish Language, which will be convened later in Cádiz.
The King also highlighted Spain's position with respect to the Maghreb countries, especially Morocco; Asia, recalling that this year marks the fiftieth anniversary of the start of diplomatic relations with China and the United States, and its commitment as a member of the European Union, whose Council will be chaired by Spain during the second half of 2023. "A challenge and a responsibility", The King has said, "that Spain assumes with determination, with experience and with a marked will to promote the European project. We need a strong EU, which continues to respond to the challenges that arise, and which at the same time continues its institutional and legislation to respond to the expectations, needs and interests of Europeans".
The reception began with the greeting of the Kings to the ambassadors and diplomats attending the event. The Iranian ambassador, Hassan Ghashghavi, who has been in Madrid since 2019, has shaken the King's hand but has greeted the Queen by placing his hand on her chest, in a habitual gesture that has been repeated at previous receptions. Since the 1979 Islamic revolution, men have not been allowed to shake hands with women in public.
The reception was attended by all except the accredited ambassadors in Spain, except for the one from Nicaragua who returned to his country after his government protested what he described as "pressure and interference" from Madrid to Managua. Nor have the ambassadors of Russia and Venezuela attended the ceremony, who, despite having taken office, have not yet presented their Credentials to the King and therefore cannot participate in official acts.
