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Madrid is adopting a distinctly different course from several Western nations when it comes to migration policies and relations toward the African mainland.

While states such as the USA, Britain, France and Federal Republic of Germany are cutting back their foreign assistance funding, Madrid continues dedicated to enhancing its participation, though from a reduced baseline.

Current Programs

Currently, the capital city has been welcoming an African Union-backed "international gathering on individuals with African heritage". The African diaspora summit will discuss reparative equity and the creation of a new development fund.

This demonstrates the newest evidence of how the Spanish administration is attempting to strengthen and broaden its involvement with the region that sits merely a few kilometres to the south, beyond the Gibraltar passage.

Strategic Framework

In July International Relations Head Madrid's top envoy launched a recent guidance panel of distinguished academic, diplomatic and arts representatives, the majority of them African, to oversee the implementation of the comprehensive Spanish-African initiative that his administration published at the conclusion of the previous year.

Fresh consular offices south of the Sahara, and partnerships in business and academic are planned.

Immigration Control

The distinction between the Spanish method and that of others in the West is not just in spending but in perspective and mindset – and particularly evident than in addressing migration.

Comparable with elsewhere in Europe, Government Leader Pedro Sanchez is exploring approaches to manage the influx of irregular arrivals.

"From our perspective, the immigration situation is not only a matter of ethical standards, unity and dignity, but also one of rationality," the administration head said.

More than 45,000 persons undertook the dangerous ocean journey from Africa's west coast to the overseas region of the Canaries recently. Approximations of those who perished while undertaking the journey vary from 1,400 to a astonishing 10,460.

Workable Approaches

Spain's leadership needs to shelter new arrivals, evaluate their applications and oversee their integration into larger population, whether transient or more enduring.

However, in rhetoric noticeably distinct from the confrontational statements that emanates from several Western administrations, the Sanchez government openly acknowledges the difficult financial circumstances on the territory in the West African region that force persons to risk their lives in the effort to reach Europe.

And it is trying to move beyond simply saying "no" to new arrivals. Instead, it is creating innovative options, with a commitment to encourage movements of people that are secure, systematic and standardized and "jointly profitable".

Economic Partnerships

On his trip to the West African nation last year, Madrid's representative stressed the contribution that migrants make to the Spanish economy.

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

Furthermore, it increased a "rotational movement" initiative that offers West Africans short-term visas to enter Spanish territory for limited periods of temporary employment, primarily in farming, and then return.

Geopolitical Relevance

The core principle underlying the Spanish approach is that Spain, as the EU member state closest to the region, has an vital national concern in the region's development toward inclusive and sustainable development, and tranquility and protection.

That basic rationale might seem apparent.

Yet of course the past had directed Spain down a noticeably unique course.

Other than a several North African presences and a minor equatorial territory – currently sovereign Equatorial Guinea – its colonial expansion in the 1500s and 1600s had mostly been oriented toward the Americas.

Forward Vision

The arts component includes not only dissemination of the national tongue, with an increased footprint of the Cervantes Institute, but also schemes to help the transfer of scholarly educators and investigators.

Defense collaboration, measures regarding environmental shifts, female advancement and an enhanced consular representation are expected elements in contemporary circumstances.

However, the strategy also puts notable focus it places on assisting democratic values, the pan-African body and, in specific, the sub-Saharan cooperative body the West African economic bloc.

This constitutes favorable governmental endorsement for the entity, which is currently under severe pressure after seeing its 50th anniversary year marred by the withdrawal of the Sahelian states – the Sahel country, the Malian Republic and the Nigerien Republic – whose governing armed forces have declined to adhere with its agreement regarding democratic governance and proper administration.

Simultaneously, in a message targeted as much at Madrid's domestic audience as its continental allies, the external affairs department declared "assisting the African community abroad and the struggle versus discrimination and xenophobia are also crucial objectives".

Fine words of course are only a first step. But in today's sour international climate such language really does stand out.