Spaanse minister Europese Zaken: 'eenentwintigste eeuw de eeuw van een gemeenschappelijk buitenlands beleid' (en)

On monday, during the launch of the book "Un mundo en cambio: Perspectivas de la política exterior de la Unión Europea" ('A changing world: perspectives for EU foreign policy') the Secretary of State for European Affairs, Diego López Garrido said that "the 21st century will be the century in which the European Union will create a common foreign policy, something which is absolutely essential".

López Garrido said that now that "the instruments for it" were within reach, Spain would take advantage of its Presidency to state its wishes clearly: "a common foreign policy for the European Union".

The Secretary of State added, "As far as Spain is concerned, we know where we want to go. Today, in terms of foreign policy, what we want to achieve in Europe is to have a common foreign policy across the European Union. Having said this, I need to point out that we don't mean a foreign policy in the way that the United Kingdom, France or Spain can say they have one.

Europe will set out its future for its people and with its people

The book's author, Camilo Villarino, Counsellor for Transatlantic Affairs and for Security and Defence in the Spanish Embassy in Washington, said that the European Union cannot behave like a "learned despot", as Europe is a project to be developed both "for and with the citizens".

"If we don't appeal to the citizens of the European Union, it won't last beyond what a few civil servants can do;the European Union needs its citizens, it needs its schoolchildren to feel proud of being citizens of the European Union", concluded Villarino.