26 October 2015 - Philippine Ambassador to Spain Carlos C. Salinas, Dean of the Asia-Pacific (ASPAC) Diplomatic Corps, led the ASPAC Ambassadors in a joint courtesy call on Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Garcia-Margallo y Marfil at the Palacio de Viana in Madrid on October 15.

During the call, Ambassador Salinas informed Foreign Minister Margallo of the ASPAC Group’s efforts to forge closer cooperation with Spanish government officials, institutions and the private sector, as he emphasized the demographic significance and economic contributions of the region. He likewise called for greater political East-West cooperation through the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as well as enhanced cultural partnerships with Instituto Cervantes and Casa Asia.  The Ambassador also congratulated President Mariano Rajoy for successfully presiding over the High-Level Debate on UN Security Council Resolution 1325 on Women, Peace and Security, during which the UNSC unanimously adopted resolution 2242, ensuring active participation of women in the search and consolidation of peace.

The meeting was also an opportunity for Foreign Minister Margallo, Spanish Foreign Ministry officials and the ASPAC diplomats to exchange views on recent economic developments such as the ASEAN Economic Community, the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, as well as Spain’s foreign policy and cultural initiatives towards Asia and the Pacific.

Joining Ambassador Salinas in the call were the Ambassadors of Australia, India, Indonesia, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, New Zealand, Pakistan and Vietnam, as well as senior officials from the embassies of Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Thailand and Uzbekistan. END