At the Dinner for Heads of State, of Government and Heads of Delegations Madrid, 8 July 1997

Address by his Majesty King Juan Carlos I (19Kb) Your Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen, It is an honour and a reason for special satisfaction to be able to welcome you to Madrid for the Summit of the Atlantic Alliance. Spain values the importance of this historic opportunity to bring together in its capital the high representatives of the Allied countries and the member countries of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, united by the goal of making decisive progress in the process of consolidation of security and stability in a common geographical area. The Madrid Summit reflects the Alliance's will and ability to renew itself in the circumstances that shape the international scenario of the 21st century. The objectives of the allied meeting and the results that are being obtained are a good sign of our resolute determination to contribute to the development of a more stable security system, in which the Alliance takes its rightful place within the concerted efforts of the different security institutions. Therefore, internal adaptation was necessary that would enable it to undertake new peace mission, while at the same time continuing to carry out the essential duties provided under the Washington Treaty. Under this Treaty, the Trans-Atlantic ties are the defensive core of the same values of freedom, democracy and respect for human rights that are shared on both sides of the Atlantic. The decision made known by Spain to participate fully in the new command structure is in keeping this new orientation. The latter will reflect the renewal of NATO and will, among other things, make possible the development of the European Identity within the Alliance. (36Kb) Indeed, Spain deems that its presence in a new command structure, which is consonant with the current defence needs, will constitute a singularly important contribution both to the collective defence and to the new and unprecedented tasks that NATO will undertake the framework of cooperation for common security. The changes that have taken place on the international stage also required external adaptation in order to ensure an effective contribution to the establishment of lasting security and stability in the Euro-Atlantic area. Aware of its new commitments, the Alliance has in mind mainly the countries that have regained real independence and freedom and are making admirable efforts to organise democratic societies whose legitimate concerns and aspirations are not foreign to us. Spain attaches special significance to the circumstance that the process of enlargement by the Alliance to the East has started in Madrid. The recent establishment of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership Council, the signing of the Founding Act with Russia and the specific Partnership with Ukraine, whose formalisation in Madrid will constitute one of the historic features of this Summit, are the best examples of the will to forge cooperation structures through political dialogue and joint works on projects and in common undertaking directed to the strengthening of general security. The military operations for the pacification of Bosnia-Herzegovina has been a perfect example of NATO' s new capacity for decisively supporting the achieving and preserving of peace, with the cooperation of the partner countries and other countries which have generously provided aid. This has opened the way to greater participation by the partner countries in future peace missions, in accordance with the new cooperation relations provided within the updated framework of the Euro-Atlantic Partnership. The Alliance likewise contributes to the development of a climate of dialogue and mutual understanding in the Mediterranean, knowing that stability in this crucially important region characteristically affects European security. Your Excellencies, In the current world no country can any more consider its security on an individual basis. There is a deep conviction that the security of all is directly related to the vicissitudes of each one. A common effort is necessary in order to establish security on the basis of cooperation that overcomes the dividing lines which left such a tragic imprint on the map of Europe. Only thus will it be possible in the 21st century for peace to prevail, founded on the values of democracy, freedom, the rule of law and respect for individual rights, which make up the heritage of the Euro-Atlantic community. With this feeling of hope, I propose a toast to the future of peace, prosperity and freedom of our peoples to the vitality of the Atlantic Alliance and to the health and the personal happiness of Your Excellencies. Thank you very much.