Córdoba, (EFE) West Africa and the Sahel.
The initiative, sponsored by the Jordanian king in 2015, develops a series of international meetings that seek to strengthen military and security cooperation. Coordination and exchange of experience between regional and international partners. To combat terrorism, explained the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Organized with a regional focus for each round, the meetings encourage expert discussions on security challenges. And, on this occasion, the High Level Aqaba Process -the first to be held in Spain- has focused on efforts to combat terrorism and extremism in West Africa and the Sahel.
More than 200 diplomats
The meetings have been attended by delegations from the region. International members of the Aqaba Process, partners from various countries and interested organizations. What has meant more than 200 diplomats present from 32 different nations.
Among them, the presence of the presidents of Ghana, Nana Akufo-Addo; Guinea-Bissau, Umaro Sissoco Packed. Mauritania, Mohamed Ould Ghazouani, and from the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki, with the rank of head of state. With whom the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, has held bilateral meetings.
The minister stressed that those attending the meeting of the Aqaba Process have agreed to bet on “international cooperation” as “the most important thing” in the face of terrorism, jihadism and radicalization.
“All of us in this room understand that in the face of terrorism, in the face of jihadism. Faced with radicalization, international cooperation is the most important thing”, Albares highlighted to journalists during a break in the meeting.
Against terrorism and radicalization
In addition, he has assured that “just as the Government of Spain has done with a new Cooperation Law that puts the Sahel and West Africa at the center, there can be no security without development. In the same way that there can be no development without security”.
Thus, he has revealed, “we all agree to work and row together with the objective of fighting against terrorism and radicalization.”
The minister explained that the meeting, which was held at the Palacio de la Merced, headquarters of the Diputación de Córdoba, “focuses on terrorism and radicalization in Africa and West Africa. Which is, precisely, a priority for Spain and for Spanish cooperation”.
Gala dinner and visit to the Mosque-Cathedral
Prior to the meeting on Tuesday, Felipe VI and Abdalá II presided over the gala dinner prior to the day of the Aqaba Process at the Alcázar de los Reyes Cristianos in Córdoba. In which up to 32 international delegations participate, and they visited the Mosque-Cathedral, a World Heritage Site.
Felipe VI and Abdalá II received ministers and diplomatic representatives in the gardens of the Cordovan Alcázar before celebrating the gala dinner. With a hot temperature, served by the Cordovan chef Paco Morales, from the Noor restaurant and holder of two Michelin stars. EFE