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Madrid is adopting a noticeably unique path from several European countries when it comes to immigration strategies and cooperation with the African continent.

Whereas nations including the United States, UK, France and Federal Republic of Germany are slashing their foreign assistance funding, Madrid continues dedicated to increasing its participation, even from a modest foundation.

Current Programs

This week, the Spanish capital has been welcoming an continent-endorsed "international gathering on people of African descent". The Madrid African conference will explore reparative equity and the creation of a fresh assistance program.

This demonstrates the latest indication of how Spain's socialist-led government is seeking to deepen and expand its cooperation with the mainland that lies just a few kilometres to the south, over the Mediterranean crossing.

Governmental Approach

During summer International Relations Head the Spanish diplomat launched a fresh consultative body of renowned scholarly, diplomatic and heritage experts, over 50 percent of them African, to monitor the delivery of the detailed Spanish-African initiative that his administration released at the conclusion of the previous year.

Fresh consular offices in sub-Saharan regions, and partnerships in business and academic are planned.

Migration Management

The difference between Madrid's strategy and that of other Western nations is not just in expenditure but in tone and philosophy – and particularly evident than in handling population movement.

Similar to different EU nations, Prime Minister Madrid's chief executive is seeking methods to control the influx of unauthorized entrants.

"For us, the immigration situation is not only a issue of humanitarian values, solidarity and dignity, but also one of reason," the government leader stated.

More than 45,000 people undertook the dangerous ocean journey from Africa's west coast to the overseas region of the Atlantic islands recently. Calculations of those who died while making the attempt extend from 1,400 to a staggering 10,460.

Effective Measures

The Spanish administration must house fresh migrants, process their claims and manage their absorption into larger population, whether short-term or more long-lasting.

Nevertheless, in terminology markedly different from the hostile messaging that emanates from several Western administrations, the Spanish administration openly acknowledges the hard economic realities on the region in Western Africa that compel individuals to risk their lives in the effort to reach the European continent.

Additionally, it strives to transcend simply denying access to incoming migrants. Conversely, it is designing original solutions, with a promise to foster human mobility that are safe, orderly and regular and "jointly profitable".

Economic Partnerships

During his visit to the West African nation recently, Madrid's representative stressed the input that foreign workers provide for the Iberian economic system.

The Spanish government finances skill development initiatives for unemployed youth in countries such as the West African country, particularly for undocumented individuals who have been sent back, to help them develop viable new livelihoods back home.

And it has expanded a "cyclical relocation" scheme that provides West Africans temporary permits to come to Spain for defined timeframes of temporary employment, primarily in farming, and then come home.

Geopolitical Relevance

The core principle guiding Madrid's outreach is that Spain, as the continental nation closest to the mainland, has an vital national concern in the region's development toward inclusive and sustainable development, and stability and safety.

That basic rationale might seem evident.

However the past had directed Spain down a quite different path.

Besides a several North African presences and a minor equatorial territory – currently sovereign Equatorial Guinea – its imperial growth in the historical period had mostly been oriented across the Atlantic.

Prospective Direction

The cultural dimension incorporates not only dissemination of the national tongue, with an enhanced representation of the Cervantes Institute, but also initiatives to support the mobility of educational instructors and investigators.

Security co-operation, initiatives concerning global warming, gender equality and an increased international engagement are unsurprising components in contemporary circumstances.

However, the approach also lays very public stress it assigns to backing democratic principles, the pan-African body and, in especial, the regional West African group the Economic Community of West African States.

This will be positive official support for the entity, which is now experiencing substantial difficulties after witnessing its half-century celebration tainted by the walk-out of the Sahel nations – the Sahel country, the West African state and the Sahel territory – whose controlling military regimes have declined to adhere with its protocol on democracy and proper administration.

Simultaneously, in a communication aimed similarly at Spain's internal population as its continental allies, the external affairs department declared "assisting the African community abroad and the fight against racism and immigrant hostility are also essential focuses".

Impressive rhetoric of course are only a beginning stage. But in contemporary pessimistic worldwide environment such language really does appear distinctive.