PRESS CONFERENCE BY Prime Minister of Spain

 

At a Headquarters press conference, José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, Prime Minister of Spain, announced today that, after presenting the report of the High-Level Group on the Alliance of Civilizations, a High Representative would be named in one month to move forward with the practical steps.

The initiative, aimed at fostering a better understanding between the Western and Islamic cultures, had been initiated by the Governments of Spain and Turkey.  A 20-expert High-Level Group was appointed by Secretary-General Kofi Annan a year ago.

The Alliance of Civilizations addressed a need and an opportunity to bring together cultures and civilizations, and peoples with different identities.  “We all belong to one civilization”, Mr. Zapatero said.

Mr. Zapatero was straightforward on the values the Alliance aspired to, saying “It’s absolutely clear -- democracy, the rule of law, equality, the role of women, tolerance, respect, religious freedom.  Those are the best weapons to combat fundamentalism, respect for international legality and no unjustified intervention.”

The Prime Minister also announced that his Government had signed an agreement to contribute $700 million to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) for 2007.  Spain was increasing its official development assistance (ODA) from 0.5 per cent to 0.7 per cent, Mr. Zapatero explained, saying ODA had been close to doubled in just two and a half years.

Spain’s contribution could serve as a reference point for all developed countries to make serious inroads against poverty and misery in favour of health and education.  As the world economy was seeing sustained growth, Governments now had the possibility to commit to Millennium Development Goals.  “Now more than ever, we should see the efforts of all countries”, he said.

Referring to the outgoing Secretary-General, Mr. Zapatero said he had done an excellent job in making sure the United Nations symbolized the centre of the world’s hopes despite difficulties, unilateral decisions, and laziness regarding compliance with the Millennium Development Goals.  The Secretary-General had always followed the demanding path, he said, “to ensure that the United Nations complied with its high-level mission in seeking peace and security in the world”.

Asked whether Iran had played a part in initiating the Alliance, Mr. Zapatero explained that the Alliance had started as a proposal made by him to the General Assembly in September 2004.  From that point, it had been taken up by the Secretary-General who had created a High-Level group, which in turn, had drawn up and presented the report.  Though Turkey had been a co-sponsor, there was no link with Iran.

In response to a question regarding UNDP transparency, Mr. Zapatero said that in any management of public funds, transparency was paramount.  “As an active contributor to United Nations programmes, Spain always wants maximum transparency.  That is fundamental.”

Responding to a question on what was to come, Mr. Zapatero said that the new Secretary-General would give very clear and firm support to the Alliance, thus guaranteeing its reaching the next stage.  Furthermore, with the appointment of a High Representative, there would be an action plan with concrete initiatives.  Similar to the World Economic Forum in Davos, there would also be a broad-based yearly event.

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For information media • not an official record