UPDATE - Spanish foreign minister urges immediate cease-fire, unrestricted humanitarian aid for Gaza

UPDATES WITH MORE QUOTES FROM SPANISH FM ALBARES ON BILATERAL TIES, EU-TR RELATIONS, NATO, UKRAINE CRISIS etc.

By Gizem Nisa Cebi

ISTANBUL (AA) - Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares Bueno reiterated on Wednesday the urgency of a swift and lasting cease-fire in the Gaza Strip, where Israeli attacks since last October have killed more than 31,000 Palestinians and more than half of the population is facing catastrophic levels of hunger.

“We expressed the need for an immediate and permanent cease-fire. We said that unconditional humanitarian aid must reach Gaza,’’ Albares told a press conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara.

Albares highlighted Spain's significant increase in humanitarian aid since the conflict's onset, and reiterated the call for the release of all hostages.

Albares paid an official visit to Türkiye for a bilateral meeting with Fidan, and discussed Türkiye-EU relations and current regional and international developments including the crisis in Gaza and other challenges in the Middle East.

He said they also talked about “what efforts they can make and how peace can be restored in the Middle East."

“Spain is strengthening its peace policy with the whole world and its partners,’’ he said.

Albares emphasized that “future of peace in the region’’ necessitates the “establishment of a permanent state of Palestine.’’

“The state of Palestine must be established permanently,’’ he said.

Stressing the importance of enduring peace, the Spanish minister highlighted that ‘’security, peace, and stability’’ are essential not only for Palestinians and Israelis but also ‘’for all nations in the Middle East.’’

He also mentioned the pressing issue of hunger among Palestinians, emphasizing the need for immediate measures to ensure people receive aid across the continent and globally.

“Realistically, we want Palestine and Gaza to form a state together, with Palestine's own corridor, but also with transportation to Jerusalem. That's why we also want to organize a peace conference,’’ Albares noted.

He stated that Spain took the lead in imposing sanctions in this matter, saying: “We are here against imperialism. So, we are against the Israeli behavior and attitudes here again in violation of international law. At the same time, we are not supplying more weapons to Israel. We want peace now.’’

He underscored the “significant role Türkiye plays’’ particularly in light of the “major crisis currently facing’’ the world.

This crisis has been thoroughly deliberated upon in “brainstorming sessions’’ between the foreign ministers, Albares said.

- ‘We consistently support dialogue between Türkiye-EU’

Albares underscored the robust and multifaceted relationship between Spain and Türkiye, highlighting their political, economic, and cultural ties.

The minister also emphasized the importance of the partnership between the two countries, which are located at opposite ends of the Mediterranean Sea.

He noted the mutual membership of both nations in the Mediterranean Union and praised their shared commitment to dialogue and cooperation.

He acknowledged Türkiye’s membership in NATO and its candidacy for the European Union, expressing Spain's unwavering support for Türkiye’s European aspirations.

“We consistently support the dialogue between Türkiye and the European Union and we want the candidacy to be approved,” the minister said, highlighting Türkiye’s importance as a partner.

Albares told reporters that he believes all EU countries should actively support Türkiye’s EU membership bid.

While there are established “roadmaps” for progress, “further efforts” are needed, especially concerning the existing “Customs Union” between Türkiye and the EU.

“We should double our efforts in these matters. As a member state of the European Union, Spain will strive to ensure that this dynamic does not stop,” he said, adding that both Spain and Türkiye see the country's future as being in Europe.

- Türkiye overcome insecurity in Black Sea

The minister also emphasized Türkiye’s pivotal role in regional stability, particularly in the context of the Russia-Ukraine crisis.

“Türkiye has taken a very successful stance on the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It overcame the insecurity in the Black Sea, including food insecurity, last year,” Albares said, adding that they will “all make efforts for Ukraine to be freer, sovereign, and respected.”

He also highlighted the strong relationship between Spain and Türkiye in NATO, which has resulted from collaboration on defense projects, participation in a NATO mission in Spain, and joint operations.

He said they recently met at a summit in Madrid and reaffirmed the importance of all NATO allies.

“There are certain threats ahead of us. There are threats coming from the south,” he said.

- Spain’s investments in crucial sectors

He emphasized the strong economic ties between Spain and Türkiye, noting that over “700 Spanish companies operating in Türkiye” contribute “$19 billion in trade volume.

These companies invest in crucial sectors like “infrastructure, energy, health care, and railways.”

“This visit is already one of the greatest proofs that Türkiye is a true ally and friend of Spain,” he remarked.

Furthermore, the minister announced that Spain will host the next summit in 2024, highlighting the importance of this event in fostering greater collaboration and understanding between the two countries.