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and, above all, to peace and stability. Always in keeping with the law and the will of Parliament, our servicemen and women export the best values of our society with respect for cultural diversity and the dignity of all people. They protect the most vulnerable populations, create safe environments which leave room for policy, ensure the distribution of humanitarian assistance and guarantee the exercise of universal rights. And they do so with courage and generosity, giving their lives when necessary, and with the highest professional skills, as seen recently when they prevented a massacre at the Koulikoro base in Mali. We are also aware that conflict resolution depends to a large extent on women’s full involvement in mediation and peace processes. Therefore, our external action places special emphasis on the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on «Women, Peace and Security» and on the UN Safe Schools initiative. In this respect, we are preparing our contingents accordingly and promoting the incorporation of women in deployments, as well as their inclusion in training missions of other countries. It was back in January 1989 when the Armed Forces first participated in an overseas mission. Three Spanish military personnel arrived in Luanda (Angola) as observers of the United Margarita Robles Acting Minister Ricardo Pérez/MDE of Defence Nations Verification Mission (UNAVEM) to supervise the withdrawal of Cuban troops. Since then, Spain has deployed over 177,000 military personnel overseas, within the framework of missions led by international organisations such as the United Nations, NATO and the European Union. The Spanish Armed Forces are currently participating in 15 overseas operations. Operation Libre Hidalgo, as part of the UN mission in Lebanon (UNIFIL), is the largest deployed mission with around 600 military personnel, although our armed forces are also participating in the following missions: Althea, EUTM CAR, EUTM Somalia, EUTM Mali, EUNAVFOR Atalanta, EUNAVFOR MED Sophia, UN Colombia, Air Force detachments in Dakar (Marfil) and Libreville (Mamba), Resolute Support (Afghanistan), Inherent Resolve (Iraq), SNMGs (Standing NATO Maritime Groups), NATO Support to Turkey and Enhanced Forward Presence in Latvia. To all of them, our thanks and recognition. Although they are physically far from Spain, we feel them close in our hearts and are most proud for the important peacekeeping work they perform, keeping the Spanish flag flying high. L December 2019 Revista Española de Defensa 9


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