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Madrid is adopting a distinctly different path from several Western nations when it comes to migration policies and cooperation with the African continent.

Whereas countries like the United States, UK, France and Federal Republic of Germany are slashing their international support allocations, Spain stays focused to expanding its participation, albeit from a modest foundation.

Current Programs

Currently, the Spanish capital has been accommodating an African Union-backed "world conference on individuals with African heritage". The Madrid African conference will examine reparative equity and the creation of a fresh assistance program.

This demonstrates the most recent sign of how the Spanish administration is seeking to deepen and expand its cooperation with the region that sits merely a short distance to the southern direction, beyond the Gibraltar passage.

Policy Structure

This past summer External Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares initiated a recent guidance panel of renowned scholarly, international relations and arts representatives, more than half of them of African origin, to oversee the implementation of the thorough Spain-Africa strategy that his government unveiled at the close of the prior year.

Additional diplomatic missions in sub-Saharan regions, and partnerships in commerce and education are arranged.

Migration Management

The contrast between Spain's approach and that of different European countries is not just in expenditure but in tone and philosophy – and especially noticeable than in dealing with population movement.

Comparable with different EU nations, Government Leader Pedro Sanchez is exploring approaches to control the influx of undocumented migrants.

"In our view, the immigration situation is not only a question of moral principles, solidarity and honor, but also one of rationality," the government leader stated.

More than 45,000 persons made the perilous sea crossing from the Atlantic African shore to the overseas region of the Canaries last year. Estimates of those who perished while undertaking the journey range between 1,400 to a overwhelming 10,460.

Effective Measures

The Spanish administration needs to shelter fresh migrants, evaluate their applications and manage their absorption into larger population, whether short-term or more long-lasting.

Nonetheless, in rhetoric markedly different from the adversarial communication that comes from many European capitals, the Madrid leadership openly acknowledges the difficult financial circumstances on the territory in the West African region that compel individuals to risk their lives in the effort to reach Europe.

Furthermore, it attempts to move beyond simply saying "no" to new arrivals. Rather, it is designing original solutions, with a commitment to promote population flows that are secure, orderly and regular and "reciprocally advantageous".

Financial Collaboration

While traveling to Mauritania last year, Madrid's representative highlighted the contribution that migrants make to the Spanish economy.

Madrid's administration supports training schemes for unemployed youth in nations including the West African country, notably for undocumented individuals who have been returned, to help them develop viable new livelihoods back home.

Furthermore, it increased a "circular migration" scheme that offers individuals from West Africa limited-duration authorizations to arrive in the Iberian nation for restricted durations of periodic labor, mainly in agriculture, and then come home.

Geopolitical Relevance

The basic concept underlying the Spanish approach is that the European country, as the EU member state closest to the continent, has an vital national concern in Africa's progress toward comprehensive and lasting growth, and tranquility and protection.

That basic rationale might seem apparent.

Nevertheless history had taken Spain down a quite different path.

Apart from a several North African presences and a small tropical outpost – presently autonomous the Gulf of Guinea country – its territorial acquisition in the 16th and 17th Centuries had primarily been focused overseas.

Future Outlook

The arts component incorporates not only promotion of the Spanish language, with an increased footprint of the Cervantes Institute, but also initiatives to help the movement of scholarly educators and scholars.

Protection partnership, measures regarding environmental shifts, female advancement and an expanded diplomatic presence are predictable aspects in the current climate.

However, the approach also puts notable focus it places on backing democratic principles, the continental organization and, in particular, the regional West African group the West African economic bloc.

This represents positive official support for the organization, which is presently facing significant challenges after witnessing its half-century celebration marred by the departure of the Sahelian states – Burkina Faso, the Malian Republic and the Sahel territory – whose ruling military juntas have chosen not to follow with its protocol on democracy and proper administration.

Simultaneously, in a statement directed equally toward Spain's internal population as its sub-Saharan partners, the external affairs department stated "supporting the African diaspora and the struggle versus discrimination and anti-foreigner sentiment are also crucial objectives".

Fine words of course are only a beginning stage. But in today's sour international climate such discourse really does distinguish itself.