Strategic conversation with Cristina Gallach, Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Ibero-America and the Caribbean

As one of the countries hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic, Spain’s response to the crisis is important both for Europe’s post-pandemic future and could also prove to be the making, or breaking, of important multilateralism. Spain has called upon Europe to provide a recovery fund to the tune of €1.5tn, in order to offset the economic impact of the virus without favouring countries with larger economies and fewer COVID-19 cases. Spain is a member of the Alliance of Multilateralism launched last year. In fact, the Spanish approach to multilateral cooperation includes commitments to work with the UN and the WHO, and pay special attention to women and girls in recovery efforts. The Spanish government has also worked closely with governments in Ibero-America, sharing technological solutions, best practices, and showing solidarity with partner nations.

This new Strategic Conversations series invites key policymakers to share their views on a range of important and strategically relevant issues through interviews with senior thinkers on the Friends of Europe team.

Follow the conversation online here or via our Facebook page.

Related content:

• “Three scenarios for a Covid-19 world: we can still make the right choices” by Shada Islam
• The politics of crisis in the EU: can the coronavirus pandemic bring Europe closer together? By Zachary McGuinness
• Bailouts – how do we get it right this time round and set the basis for a new social contract? By Dharmendra Kanani and Ashil Sodha

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