Portugal and Spain reaffirm their commitment to Ukraine and ask to pay attention to the Maghreb

This Wednesday, the governments of Portugal and Spain signed a joint declaration reaffirming their commitment to the full support of Ukraine, but also asking for special attention to the phenomenon of migration and “tension” in the Maghreb countries.

These points are contained in the declaration of principles agreed by the leaders, led by António Costa and Pedro Sánchez, at the end of the 34th Portuguese-Spanish Summit, which took place in Lanzarote, in the Canary Islands.

“The summit made it possible once again to condemn in the strongest terms the aggressive war of Russia against Ukraine, which is a gross violation of the most elementary norms and principles of international law, including the UN Charter, and poses a threat to security. as well as stability and an international order based on rules,” emphasizes one of the most prominent chapters of this document.

Portugal and Spain reaffirm “their commitment to the principles of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and demand the complete, immediate and unconditional withdrawal of all Russian armed forces from the territory of Ukraine within its internationally recognized borders.”~

The governments led by socialists António Costa and Pedro Sanchez later expressed “their will to continue to support Ukraine, providing assistance, including in the humanitarian, financial, economic and military fields, in coordination with their partners and allies.”

In parallel, Portugal and Spain draw attention to the “tension” that exists in the Maghreb, “exacerbated by the consequences of the war in Ukraine.”

“It is especially important to help Europe not to lose sight of the situation on the southern shores of the Mediterranean Sea and in northwest Africa. Portugal and Spain believe that a regular and fluid dialogue with their partners in the southern Mediterranean is essential for the development of the Euro-Mediterranean Union partnership.

In this context, Lisbon and Madrid emphasize their desire to “continue to work for the stability, development and sustainable prosperity of Africa in close cooperation and dialogue with the African Union and the countries of the continent.”

Both governments commit to coordinating efforts to promote investment and job creation on the African continent, in line with the objectives of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. Both governments are committed to coordinating efforts to effectively fulfill the commitments made within the scope of the summits between the European Union and the African Union,” he said.

Particularly in the field of peace and security, Portugal and Spain promise to “make efforts on the continent, especially in the Sahel, the Central African Republic, Mozambique, the Gulf of Guinea and the Horn of Africa.”

Both governments deem it necessary to strengthen the support of the international community to these states and regions, thereby contributing to the eradication of terrorism, the fight against organized crime, and the elimination of the harmful influence of foreign militias that take advantage of the fragility of political institutions and the retreat of the international community,” the joint statement also emphasizes. .