09/03/2012
http://prensa.fundacionfaes.org/2012/MARZO/AZNAR-COREA+SUR-SIDEBAR-09.03.12.jpg! "It's time to design new strategies to get out of the crisis and set a political direction for a more influential Europe in today's geostrategic reality" "Before the terrorist threat, there's no better antidote than the strength of democratic convictions and collaboration between States" "No threat vanishes looking the other way. What we need is political determination and to promote international cooperation" "The aim of Seoul's Nuclear Security Summit ?and FAES' as well? is to help make the world a securer place" "Asia today stands as a synonym of opportunity and it can find in Spain a generation of entrepreneurs prepared to compete" Madrid, 09.03.12.- Jos? Mar?a Aznar, former Prime Minister of Spain and President of FAES Foundation, has declared this morning that "on a new geostrategic scenario, Europe must find its place and define how to help face and solve today's problems. Aznar pronounced these statements at the presentation of the seminar jointly organised by FAES and the Embassy of South Korea, on account of the next Nuclear Security Summit to be held in Seoul at the end of March. Aznar continued saying that those of us who ambition a strong Europe in the world know perfectly well that the European Union wasted a major opportunity to define its position at the end of last century and also during the first decade of the current one. He qualified this, however, saying we also know that now's the time to define new objectives and design new strategies to help set an exit horizon to our crisis and set a political direction for a more thriving and influential Europe in today's world and in today's geostrategic reality". GLOBAL STABILITY Spain's former Prime Minister stressed, during his address, that the interests joining Spain and Asia are not limited to the economic sphere. We also have important political and strategic allies in Asia. This is the case of South Korea which, on top of being one of the economic propellers of the Asian continent, is also a net contributor to regional and global stability on a particularly sensitive scenario". For Aznar, this is clearly demonstrated by its initiative to call for a Summit on nuclear security. "The aim of Seoul's Nuclear Security Summit ?and FAES' as well? is to help make the world a securer place. A world where nuclear energy is used only for lawful, peaceful ends that contribute to economic progress and social development". He also expressed his wish for Seoul's Summit to be a great success. This meeting, which will be held next March 26 and 27, will be attended by political leaders from around the world. Aznar referred to the threat posed by nuclear terrorism saying that we know that terrorism is always striving to overcome its destructive limits, and that nuclear energy or its components could be used by those who would not hesitate to infringe the most essential rights and liberties". INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION Aznar, however, specified that we also know that no threat vanishes by indifference, resignation or indeed by looking the other way. What we need is political determination and to promote international cooperation". The idea is that the highest possible number of nations unequivocally commit themselves in the fight against terrorism and non proliferation, he assured. For those of us who have always defended that before the terrorist threat, whatever its shape, there's no better antidote than the strength of democratic convictions and collaboration between States, this Summit is a good opportunity to demonstrate it", Aznar stated. FAES' president insisted that in a globalised world, establishing effective collaboration mechanisms is essential and added that it's always important to share experiences, exchange ideas, establish common practices, search for joint solutions, design collective strategies. In this sense, Aznar stated that we must acknowledge the important work carried out by the United Nations and the International Atomic Energy Agency to ease this collaboration for the increase of nuclear security, and value in a very positive way the latter's proposal to organise a world conference in 2013". Aznar also assured in his address that nuclear energy must continue guaranteeing a secure, stable, clean supply, compatible with business competitiveness, industrial development and the environment. In short, with people's welfare and opportunities. Aznar reminded that this is how FAES' report 'Proposals for a national energy strategy', published in 2011, was devised. ASIA, SYNONYM OF OPPORTUNITY In his address, Aznar considered that "Asia today stands as a synonym of opportunity. It is a centre of growth, development and innovation. And with its high growth rates, its growing immense middle class, and its four billion consumers, it can contribute very highly indeed to the economic recovery of other parts of the world, and more specifically of Europe. Aznar added that reciprocally, the Pacific countries can find in Europe, and more specifically here in Spain, a generation of entrepreneurs with good ideas and talent willing to explore new markets and prepared to compete". Remarks by Jos? Mar?a Aznar (in Spanish)