Editing Foreign relations of Spain (section)

== Regional relations ==

=== Latin America ===

==== The Ibero-American vision ====
Spain has maintained its special identification with its fellow Spanish-speaking countries. Its policy emphasizes the concept of an [[Ibero-American]] community, essentially the renewal of the historically liberal concept of "[[Hispanoamericanism|Hispano-Americanismo]]" (or Hispanic as it is often referred to in English), which has sought to link the [[Iberian Peninsula|Iberian peninsula]] to the [[Hispanic America|Spanish-speaking countries in Central and South America]] through language, commerce, history and culture. Spain has been an effective example of transition from dictatorship to democracy, as shown in the many trips that Spain's King and prime ministers have made to the region.<ref>Richard Youngs, "Spain, Latin America and Europe: the complex interaction of regionalism and cultural identification." ''Mediterranean Politics'' 5.2 (2000): 107–128.</ref>

==== Trends in diplomatic relations ====
Spain maintains economic and technical cooperation programs and cultural exchanges with Latin American countries, both bilaterally and within the EU. During [[José María Aznar]]'s government, Spanish relations worsened with countries like Mexico, Venezuela and Cuba, but were exceptionally good with others, like Colombia, the Dominican Republic and several [[Central America]]n republics. [[José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero]]'s victory in the 2004 general elections changed this setting. Despite long-standing close linguistic, economic and cultural relations with most of Latin America, some aspects of Spanish foreign policy during this time, such as its support for the Iraq War, were not supported or widely favored.

=== Sub-Saharan Africa ===
Spain has gradually begun to broaden its contacts with [[Sub-Saharan Africa]]. It has a particular interest in its former colony of [[Equatorial Guinea]], where it maintains a large [[aid]] program. More recently, it has sought closer relation with [[Senegal]], [[Mauritania]], [[Mali]] and others to find solutions for the issue of [[illegal immigration]] to the [[Canary Islands]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2012-06-21 |title=Technical assistance to better regulate migratory flows from Senegal, Mauritania and Mali to Spain |url=http://www.ilo.org/global/topics/labour-migration/projects/WCMS_200987/lang--en/index.htm |access-date=2023-10-15 |website=www.ilo.org |language=en}}</ref>

=== Middle East ===
In the Middle East, Spain is known as a broker between powers. In its relations with the [[Arab world]], Spain frequently supports Arab positions on Middle East issues. The Arab countries are a priority interest for Spain because of oil and gas imports and because several Arab nations have substantial investments in Spain.<ref>Richard Gillespie, "Spain and the Mediterranean: Southern sensitivity, European aspirations." ''Mediterranean Politics'' 1.2 (1996): 193–211.</ref>

=== Europe ===
Spain has been successful in managing its relations with its three immediate European neighbours, [[France]], [[Andorra]], and [[Portugal]]. The accession of Spain and Portugal to the EU in [[1986 enlargement of the European Communities|1986]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cvce.eu/en/education/unit-content/-/unit/02bb76df-d066-4c08-a58a-d4686a3e68ff/d4c04734-67dc-4e67-8168-1f996b10672f |title=Third enlargement: Spain and Portugal |date=8 August 2017 |website=cvce.eu |access-date=17 April 2021 |quote=On 1 January 1986, Spain and Portugal acceded to the European Economic Community, which thus became the 'Europe of the Twelve'.}}</ref> has helped ease some of their periodic trade frictions by putting these into an EU context. [[Franco-Spanish cooperation|Franco-Spanish]] bilateral cooperation has been enhanced by joint action against recurring violence by separatist [[Basque people|Basque]] group [[ETA (separatist group)|ETA]] since the 1960s.{{citation needed|date=January 2021}} Ties with the [[United Kingdom]] are generally good, although the question of [[Gibraltar]] remains a sensitive issue, especially since the UK vote on [[Brexit]].{{citation needed|date=January 2021}}

=== Asia ===
Today, Spain is trying to expand its still narrow relations with [[East Asian]] nations,<ref>Política exterior española, un balance de futuro. José María Beneyto, 2011, p 425, ch 11 by [[Florentino Rodao]]</ref> with China, Japan and South Korea as its main points of interest in the region.  Thailand and Indonesia are Spain's main allies in the [[ASEAN]] region, having a considerable number of agreements and a very good relationship. In the recent years Spain has also been boosting its contacts, relations and investment in other Asian countries, most notably Vietnam and Malaysia. Relations with the Philippines are, despite a very long [[Spanish Colonization of the Philippines|colonial past]], considerably weaker than the ones Spain has with other countries in the area, dealing mostly with [[Cultural diplomacy|cultural aspects]] and humanitarian assistance programs.<ref>Ramón Pacheco Pardo, "Spain and Asia: harnessing trade, soft power and the EU in the Asia-Pacific Century." (ARI #61, 2017) [https://web.archive.org/web/20190225183708/http://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/6676/006f41a78c159bc02caafb6b5fb518a5f0dc.pdf online].</ref>