The Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has demanded this Thursday that NATO assume the same level of commitment on the southern flank of the Alliance as it maintains in the east, also emphasizing that Ceuta and Melilla are "a part of Spain and the best Spain."
At the closing of the "Dialogues for Security" day, organized by "El País" at CESEDEN, in Madrid, the Defense Minister conveyed the "enormous" concern of the Government regarding the situation in Africa. She focused her message on the rise of terrorist fundamentalism and the threat posed by the growing presence of Russia in the area, without referring at any moment to immigration.
"Spain has always spoken and bet on NATO 360 because what happens on the eastern flank is fundamental, but we want that commitment on the southern flank," Robles emphasized, insisting on the need for the Atlantic organization to also look south with the same determination.
At another moment in her speech, the minister called to "feel proud" of Spain, which she described as "a great country, with functioning institutions and a supportive and committed people." "When a part, as is the case of Ceuta, suffers, we all suffer, because Ceuta and Melilla are our Spain, the best Spain," she stressed. In this same line, she assured that the Armed Forces "will always be there, supporting the values of coexistence" of both autonomous cities.
Robles also defended the increase in defense spending, considering that it has a direct impact on security, protection, and job creation. She reiterated her "pride" in the Spanish Armed Forces, "modern and prepared," which participate in numerous international missions under the umbrella of NATO, the EU, and the UN. She also referred to the complex international context, recalling that the war in Ukraine is already facing its fifth year and that the situation in the Middle East continues to deteriorate.