Spain's Foreign Policy Under the PSOE: Integration and Alliances

PSOE Foreign Policy

Spain, under the governments of UCD, began the process of joining the community of nations but faced incomplete integration and ambiguities. It was a member of the Council of Europe and a NATO partner, while also being an observer of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

The anti-imperialist and isolationist socialist postulates were abandoned to promote international political possibilities, setting objectives for the European Community, NATO, and relations with the Mediterranean and Latin America.

Negotiations with the European Community

Spain's negotiations with the European Community, ongoing since 1977, had reached an impasse. The Socialist cabinet proposed closer relations with EU countries with which Spain had unfinished business or that played a role in Spain's integration into Europe:

• The government established cooperation mechanisms with France.
• It aligned politically with Germany.
• It opened channels for dialogue with the United Kingdom.

Negotiations with the EU progressed rapidly. At the European summit in Stuttgart (1983), the German presidency conditioned the EU budget extension on internal reform and the inclusion of the two Iberian Peninsula states.

On 12 June 1985, Spain signed the Treaty of Accession to the European Community, and shortly after, the Cortes ratified it without dissent. On 1 January 1986, Spain became a member of the Europe of Twelve.

Spain and NATO

Initially, the Socialists opposed Spain's accession to NATO but were persuaded by government experience. On 23 October 1984, Felipe Gonzalez secured the Congress of Deputies' approval for Spain to remain in NATO. A referendum was held on 12 March 1986, with the government setting three conditions: no military integration, a ban on the installation, storage, or introduction of nuclear weapons, and a reduction of the U.S. military presence.

Relations with Latin America and the Mediterranean

The Socialists aimed to deepen relations with Latin America, boosting the proposed American Community of Nations. In the Mediterranean, they promoted stability throughout North Africa, particularly relations with Morocco and Algeria. Spain recognized the State of Israel in 1986 and elevated the representation of the PLO to ambassadorial rank.