“The threats in Europe do not stop, your presence on the eastern border of the continent is essential in the face of Putin’s provocations.” This is how the President of Government, Pedro Sánchez, expressed his gratitude to the troops deployed abroad as part of his traditional mandate. … Christmas message to the military.
Sánchez, in this sense, emphasized that he had followed with “concern” “Continued violations” of European airspace with Russian drones and fighter jets. It is for this reason that the president emphasized that “the degree of demand for the Air Force is increasingly high.” “You are the first line of defense and deterrence in Europe,” he reinforced the message.
This message, in which he describes the national troops as an “example” demonstrating Spain’s reliability as a partner of allied countries, comes after a very turbulent year in which the Sánchez government appeared as a kind of cowardly worm in the thorny issue of increased defense spending proposed by NATO countries, which caused friction and reprimands from the United States and suspicion from some European allies.
Christmas message to the troops
“You are the first line of defense and deterrence in Europe”
Pedro Sanchez
President of the Government
Sánchez was accompanied in this video call by the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, and the Chief of Defense Staff (Jemad), Admiral General Teodoro Esteban López Calderón, the head of the Executive spoke to those responsible for fifteen missions in which approximately 3,400 military personnel are currently participating. Everyone, one by one, gave him news of the progress of their various operations.
Beyond the situation in Ukraine, after the “illegal Russian invasion”, the president reviewed the troops deployed in different parts of the planet and also took the opportunity to discuss the “critical situation in the Middle East”. On this subject, he underlined “the extraordinary work and the excellent morale of our contingent in Lebanon”, which he assured that “the minister (Robles) never stops saying”. “Your situation there remains complicatedand we keep it in mind, due to the continued violations of the ceasefire,” he assured.
He also mentioned “terrorism”, which “continues to be a global threat today in many scenarios”, to highlight the presence of 300 soldiers in Iraq against this threat.
Regarding Africa, he declared that “a 360° security vision includes the arc of instability of all territories of strategic interest for Spain” and requires “pay special attention” to Africa. On this continent, “inequalities, social exclusion, the climate emergency and institutional fragility coexist simultaneously”. This is despite the fact that Spain has reduced its military presence in the region in recent years, while maintaining its participation in European Union (EU) training and advisory missions in Somalia, the Central African Republic and Mozambique, in addition to fighting piracy in the Indian Ocean, within the framework of Operation “Atalanta”.
“You are the best version of Spain”
On a more emotional and human level, Sánchez assured the military that “there are no words to alleviate the nostalgia for the country” at this time, but that their “efforts are worth it.” “You have the gratitude of the entire country and you are the best version of Spain, a living example of the values of dedication and solidarity that make Spain an active and committed member of the international community,” he assured them.
“May 2016 finally bring the peace to which you contribute,” he concluded his message.)
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