“Spain is a highly
valued member of
the alliance and
its contributions
to the full range of
NATO missions
remain vital”
—The southern flank is becoming
increasingly important. What
role can NATO play in preserving
stability in this area?
—NATO nations have recognised
the importance of the southern Flank
for Alliance security by implementing
the Framework for the South, an
integral part of NATO’s strengthened
deterrence and defence posture, which
guides our engagement in the region.
The Alliance actively contributes to
security and projecting stability in
the South, where we maintain formal
bilateral relations with 11 countries
via our Mediterranean Dialogue
and Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,
through a range of practical initiatives.
Through our partnership formats, we
work with partners to enable them to
build resilience against security threats
and to provide for their own security.
Additionally, we provide training,
advising and mentoring activities
to partners in the South in sectors
including border security, counter
terrorism, demining, and preventing
illicit trafficking.
Finally, the Alliance supports the
international coalition to defeat ISIS,
as well as the African Union in its
peacekeeping missions on the African
continent.
—Finally, what do you think of
Spain’s role in NATO?
—Spain is a highly valued member
of the alliance and its contributions
to the full range of NATO missions
and activities remain vital. Spain’s
contributions include professional
support to the NATO Mission in Iraq
and Afghanistan, supporting NATO’s
Enhanced Forward Presence multina-
tional battlegroup in Latvia, commanding
the Maritime High Readiness Force,
providing forces for NATO Air Policing
which includes ballistic missile defence
and most recently offering specialized
national capabilities in support of the
wider allied response for COVID-19.
Spain remains a key player in our
active 360 degree alliance, and their
support reflects the comprehensive
character of the alliance; ready and
capable.
Rosa Ruiz
SHAPE
military capabilities, which have kept
us safe for over 70 years. NATO 2030
also highlights NATO’s role globally,
which is based on working even more
closely with like-minded partners
to defend our values in a world of
increased global competition.
—How is the strategic association
with the EU developing?
—Cooperation between the EU and
NATO is strong. We work together on
military mobility, exercises, countering
hybrid threats, and most recently the
COVID-19 pandemic, complementing
our efforts to further strengthen our
cooperation and build our resilience in
the future.
April 2021 Revista Española de Defensa 9