The Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, presented today the new Asia-Pacific Strategy 2026-2029 at the headquarters of Casa Asia in Barcelona, at an event with the ambassadors of the countries of the region and representatives of institutions linked to diplomacy with Asia and the Pacific.
The Strategy, approved by the Council of Ministers on December 9th, constitutes the roadmap by which Spain will direct its actions toward a region that has become a center of gravity in international relations thanks to its growing demographic, economic, and political weight. This region accounts for 60% of the world's population, 45% of global GDP, and 45% of industrial production. For all these reasons, the Minister AlbaRes stressed that a global foreign policy with its own identity, like the one Spain has, cannot ignore the Asia-Pacific region.
“At a time when we hear nostalgic or openly reactionary speeches that express fear of a more diverse and multipolar world, Spain is looking outward, including to the East, with an attitude of listening and an outstretched hand to seek solutions with our Asia-Pacific partners to common challenges, such as the ecological transition, digital transformation, and international peace and security,” he asserted. Albares in his speech before the ambassadors.
Lines of action
The minister AlbaRes has presented the main lines of action for the coming years, which seek to deepen political and economic ties through a greater diplomatic deployment on the ground, working together with regional partners to generate shared, sustainable and secure growth opportunities.
It also aims to strengthen Europe's presence in Asia-Pacific by supporting new economic agreements and stable frameworks for relations, and to further strengthen cooperation through science, innovation, culture, public diplomacy and connections between societies.
In recent years, important steps have already been taken that demonstrate this commitment to deepening relations with the countries of the region, as evidenced by the recent visit of Their Majesties the Reyes to China in 2025, the visits of the Prime Minister to China, Korea, India, Japan and Vietnam, or the support for the conclusion of EU free trade agreements with India, Indonesia or New Zealand.
Execution phase
The Strategy, which is already in full implementation, promotes scientific, technological, educational, and cultural cooperation. Spain contributes universities, networks such as Horizon Europe, cutting-edge infrastructure, and Council Foundations with Australia, China, India, and Japan.
Recently, this strategy has been reinforced by actions such as the minister's recent trip AlbaThe events include the visit to India and the celebration in 2026 of the Dual Year between the two countries, the Prime Minister's visit to India this February and to China planned for next April, the presentation of the Spanish candidacy to the new association mechanism of the Pacific Islands Forum, the intensification of political consultations with various regional partners—such as those held since December with Indonesia, Uzbekistan and Australia—and the planned signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which will allow for closer and more structured relations with this important regional bloc.
In the coming months, plans also include the creation of a strategic dialogue mechanism with China at the ministerial level, the launch of a Spain-India advisory council, and the establishment of an inter-ministerial commission on Asian affairs to strengthen the coordination of ambitious and multidimensional foreign policy, among other measures.
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