This report presents a summary of  the main discussion points of the seminar ‘The Future of the Eastern Partnership: Challenges and Opportunities‘, co-organised by the Spanish EU Council Presidency, the Embassies of the Republic of Poland and of the Czech Republic in Madrid in cooperation with FRIDE on January 27–28, 2010.

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With Spain having taken over the EU presidency, FRIDE's team of researchers offers a stock-take of Spanish foreign policy. Examining eight areas of Spain's external relations, we offer some guidelines for the improvement of the government’s foreign policy.

 

• Spain's War in Afghanistan, Edward Burke
•  Why does Spain not have a policy for Latin America?, Susanne Gratius
• Spain's Diminished Policy in the Mediterranean, Kristina Kausch
• Spain in Africa: The Reluctant Newcomer, Stefan Meyer
• Spanish Development Policies: The Obstacles to Progress, Nils-Sjard Schulz
• Spanish Foreign Policy in the Balkans: Wasted Potential, Sofía Sebastián
• Does Spain have an Ostpolitik?, Natalia Shapovalova
• Immigration and Foreign Policy: The Economic Crisis and its Challenges, Laura Tedesco

Spain’s weight and presence in the southern Mediterranean have declined in recent years.

Spain is a newcomer to Africa. Since 2004, remarkable efforts have been undertaken to put Sub-Saharan Africa on the map of Spanish foreign policy.

When the Spanish Socialist party came to power in 2004, it was faced with an aid system in decline.