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Spain Celebrates 40 Years in EU, Highlighting Unity Amidst Global Fears
🇵🇾 Paraguay /Culture & Society

Spain Celebrates 40 Years in EU, Highlighting Unity Amidst Global Fears

From ABC Color · (43m ago) Spanish Positive tone

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • Spain marked 40 years of its membership in the European Union, highlighting its contributions and the importance of unity.
  • Officials emphasized Spain's leadership in green policies, gender equality, and multilateralism, particularly in the context of global instability.
  • The anniversary served as a call to reinforce European values and collective action amidst challenges like the war in Ukraine and rising populism.

As Spain celebrates four decades within the European Union, a profound sense of accomplishment and renewed commitment fills the air. This milestone is not just a commemoration of our entry into the then-European Economic Community in 1986; it is a testament to Spain's transformation and its significant contributions to the continent. Vice President Teresa Ribera rightly underscored our leadership in "policies verdes y de género" (green and gender policies) and our unwavering commitment to multilateralism, especially vital in these "frágiles" times marked by "grandes miedos" (great fears).

en momentos frágiles como este, de gran demagogia, gran frustración y grandes miedos

— Teresa RiberaThe Vice President highlighted the current challenging global climate.

From our vantage point, this anniversary is a powerful reminder of the shared values that bind Europe together. The EU was founded on the principle of 'never again,' a solemn vow against war, and that spirit remains our guiding light. As Commissioner Marta Kos noted, these values "siguen atrayendo a pesar de lo que dicen los que quieren vernos fracasar" (continue to attract despite what those who want to see us fail say), a clear nod to external aggressors and internal populist forces. Spain, having been transformed by the Union, is now actively transforming Europe, championing international law in places like Ukraine, Palestine, Iran, and Lebanon, and unequivocally saying 'no' to war.

un liderazgo en un modelo económico-social justo y sostenible, en ser un referente en igualdad y liderando la apuesta por la transición verde

— Fernando SampedroThe Secretary of State for the EU detailed Spain's contributions.

The current geopolitical landscape, marked by the war in Ukraine and the erosion of a rules-based order, presents unprecedented challenges. Yet, Spain stands firm, advocating for de-escalation even with nations at odds with European values, like Iran. The call to "reequilibrar lo local y lo global" (rebalance the local and the global) and build an autonomous Europe capable of defending its interests is more pertinent than ever. This celebration is not just about looking back; it's a forward-looking declaration of Spain's enduring role in shaping a peaceful, democratic, and prosperous European future.

Pidiendo el respeto a la legalidad internacional en Ucrania, Palestina, Irán y Líbano y diciendo alto y claro: no a la guerra

— Fernando SampedroThe Secretary of State emphasized Spain's stance on international law and peace.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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