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The Spanish government is pursuing a markedly separate path from numerous Western nations when it comes to movement regulations and engagement with the African mainland.

Although countries like the US, United Kingdom, French Republic and Federal Republic of Germany are cutting back their international support allocations, the Spanish government stays focused to expanding its engagement, albeit from a lower starting point.

New Initiatives

Currently, the Madrid has been welcoming an AU-supported "world conference on persons of African origin". The Madrid African conference will examine corrective fairness and the creation of a innovative support mechanism.

This constitutes the latest indication of how Spain's socialist-led government is working to enhance and expand its cooperation with the region that rests only a brief span to the southern direction, over the Mediterranean crossing.

Governmental Approach

This past summer External Affairs Minister the Spanish diplomat launched a fresh consultative body of renowned scholarly, foreign service and arts representatives, more than half of them African, to supervise the execution of the comprehensive Spain-Africa strategy that his administration released at the conclusion of the previous year.

New embassies in sub-Saharan regions, and collaborations in enterprise and academic are arranged.

Movement Regulation

The difference between the Spanish method and that of others in the West is not just in funding but in attitude and outlook – and particularly evident than in handling migration.

Similar to elsewhere in Europe, Prime Minister Madrid's chief executive is looking for ways to control the arrival of undocumented migrants.

"In our view, the migratory phenomenon is not only a matter of ethical standards, mutual support and honor, but also one of reason," the prime minister stated.

Over 45,000 people attempted the hazardous maritime passage from the Atlantic African shore to the Spanish archipelago of the Canary Islands last year. Approximations of those who lost their lives while undertaking the journey vary from 1,400 to a astonishing 10,460.

Workable Approaches

Madrid's government must house new arrivals, review their cases and handle their incorporation into broader community, whether temporary or more enduring.

However, in terminology distinctly separate from the confrontational statements that originates from several Western administrations, the Madrid leadership openly acknowledges the challenging monetary conditions on the region in the West African region that force persons to risk their lives in the attempt to attain the European continent.

Furthermore, it attempts to transcend simply saying "no" to new arrivals. Rather, it is designing original solutions, with a commitment to promote population flows that are protected, systematic and routine and "mutually beneficial".

Financial Collaboration

On his trip to Mauritania last year, the Spanish leader emphasized the participation that foreign workers make to the Spanish economy.

The Spanish government supports skill development initiatives for unemployed youth in nations including Senegal, notably for undocumented individuals who have been repatriated, to support them in establishing viable new livelihoods in their native country.

And it has expanded a "rotational movement" programme that gives individuals from West Africa limited-duration authorizations to come to Spain for limited periods of periodic labor, mainly in agriculture, and then return.

Strategic Importance

The core principle underlying Madrid's outreach is that the Iberian nation, as the European country most proximate to the region, has an vital national concern in the continent's advancement toward equitable and enduring progress, and peace and security.

That basic rationale might seem apparent.

However the past had directed the Iberian state down a noticeably unique course.

Other than a few Maghreb footholds and a small tropical outpost – presently autonomous the Central African nation – its territorial acquisition in the 1500s and 1600s had primarily been focused toward the Americas.

Future Outlook

The arts component encompasses not only advancement of Castilian, with an enhanced representation of the Spanish cultural organization, but also programmes to assist the mobility of academic teachers and investigators.

Defense collaboration, measures regarding environmental shifts, gender equality and an expanded diplomatic presence are predictable aspects in contemporary circumstances.

However, the strategy also puts notable focus it places on backing democratic principles, the continental organization and, in especial, the West African regional organization the West African economic bloc.

This constitutes positive official support for the entity, which is currently under severe pressure after seeing its 50th anniversary year tainted by the withdrawal of the desert region countries – Burkina Faso, Mali and the Sahel territory – whose ruling military juntas have chosen not to follow with its standard for political freedom and effective leadership.

Concurrently, in a statement targeted as much at the national citizenry as its sub-Saharan partners, the external affairs department stated "supporting the African diaspora and the battle against prejudice and anti-foreigner sentiment are also essential focuses".

Impressive rhetoric of course are only a first step. But in contemporary pessimistic worldwide environment such discourse really does stand out.