King Felipe spoke of courage in the face of adversity in a speech to Spanish soldiers on Monday at the Pascua Militar in Madrid.
The Pascua Militar is an important Spanish military holiday that recognises the recovery of Menorca for Spain in 1782, created by King Carlos III, and begins the military year in Spain.
In a speech to soldiers, as well as to government officials, King Felipe began:
“[W]hen speaking today to all the soldiers, sailors, aviators and civil guards of Spain – wherever you are, on mission or at home, in national territory or away from it, and through those who represent you here -, I convey to you with deep affection and with the Queen, our congratulations to you and your families; We wish you the best for this year 2020.
“In this intervention – as I like to do every year and whenever I have the opportunity to be with you – I do not want to stop expressing my sincere pride and recognition for the impeccable performance of your responsibilities and functions, your missions and tasks. Thank you always for what you do – and for how you do it -, serving your countrymen at all times wherever duty requires it and Spain needs you.”
He continued that:
“You know better than anyone that guaranteeing the freedom and security of Spaniards is a fundamental mission for the development and well-being of our country, and you carry it out rigorously and permanently, every day of the year, at any time, in National interest defence.
“This is true both in the operations you carry out exemplary abroad and in the quick and efficient response to situations as difficult as those experienced by many citizens in different parts of our country, due to the severe fires and floods suffered during the past year.
“The Armed Forces and the Civil Guard are today a reflection of a modern, capable and supportive society, which, in addition, knows how to always recognize and thank your commitment to the general interest of our Nation.
“A commitment that you demonstrate with your professionalism, sense of duty and honour; that you credit with your loyalty and your constant and generous dedication to the service of the Spanish people. A commitment, in short, with Spain and with our Constitution.”
Speaking about the role Spanish soldiers play, both locally and within international missions, King Felipe said, “With the excited memory of our comrades in arms fallen in the line of duty, I want to highlight their noble and generous dedication to the defence of Spain and to the fulfilment of the commitments with our allies and the international community; It will always be an example and a stimulus for colleagues, for the military family and for all Spaniards. I want to transfer, especially today, my homage of love and gratitude to their families.”
In marking NATO’s 70th-anniversary last year, King Felipe said that Spain’s contribution has been one as “a loyal and committed partner, taking part in the main efforts of the organization in close collaboration with the rest of the 29 nations that today make up the Alliance and with those with whom we also share our commitment with a Europe of Security and Defense, which complements and reinforces our transatlantic vocation.
“Our country, together with its European partners, wants to move towards a stronger and more united Europe that is capable of making decisions effectively on issues related to its security and defence. Spain, as a clear defender of this path, participates as the largest troop contributor in the 6 missions currently carried out by the EU in Europe, the Mediterranean, Africa and the Indian Ocean. In addition, it has effectively assumed responsibility for the command of the Atalanta operation in March last year, which has since been exercised since the new EU Multinational CG located in the BN of Rota, and that I recently had the opportunity to meet.”
About the future of Spain’s military trajectory, King Felipe said:
“We face a global security environment in constant and rapid evolution, in which complexity and uncertainty are the norm, no exception; which implies new threats and risks to our security and poses new challenges to international stability. All this requires us a great effort, which does not wait and puts us to the test.
“In this sense, the need to have the adequate capacities – and to maintain them – to attend to the traditional fields of action, and to be able to operate effectively in new ones such as outer space and cyberspace, is one of the most demanding challenges we have before us.
“This will require the experience, professionalism and permanent capacity for adaptation and leadership of our Armed Forces, State Security Forces and Intelligence Services. All this, as appropriate, with the level of ambition defined by the Government and with the corresponding budgetary support.”
The full text of King Felipe’s speech can be found here.
