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Spain is charting a distinctly different course from numerous developed states when it comes to migration policies and cooperation with the African continent.

While nations including the US, Britain, French Republic and Germany are reducing their international support allocations, Madrid remains committed to increasing its participation, albeit from a modest foundation.

Current Programs

Currently, the Spanish capital has been hosting an AU-supported "global summit on persons of African origin". The Madrid African conference will discuss restorative justice and the establishment of a new development fund.

This demonstrates the most recent sign of how Madrid's leadership is seeking to deepen and diversify its engagement with the region that sits merely a brief span to the southern direction, over the Mediterranean crossing.

Governmental Approach

This past summer Foreign Minister Madrid's top envoy launched a new advisory council of prominent intellectual, diplomatic and arts representatives, more than half of them of African origin, to monitor the delivery of the thorough Spanish-African initiative that his administration published at the close of the prior year.

Additional diplomatic missions in sub-Saharan regions, and partnerships in commerce and academic are planned.

Immigration Control

The difference between Spain's approach and that of different European countries is not just in expenditure but in perspective and outlook – and especially noticeable than in addressing migration.

Similar to other European locations, Administration Head Madrid's chief executive is seeking methods to contain the influx of irregular arrivals.

"In our view, the migratory phenomenon is not only a matter of ethical standards, mutual support and honor, but also one of logic," the prime minister said.

Over 45,000 individuals made the perilous sea crossing from West African coastline to the overseas region of the Atlantic islands recently. Approximations of those who died while making the attempt range between 1,400 to a astonishing 10,460.

Effective Measures

Madrid's government needs to shelter new arrivals, evaluate their applications and handle their incorporation into broader community, whether short-term or more permanent.

Nonetheless, in language noticeably distinct from the adversarial communication that originates from several Western administrations, the Spanish administration frankly admits the challenging monetary conditions on the territory in Western Africa that push people to endanger themselves in the endeavor to achieve Europe.

And it is trying to exceed simply saying "no" to incoming migrants. Rather, it is designing original solutions, with a pledge to foster movements of people that are protected, orderly and routine and "mutually beneficial".

Economic Partnerships

On his trip to the Mauritanian Republic last year, Madrid's representative highlighted the contribution that migrants provide for the national finances.

The Spanish government funds educational programs for unemployed youth in states like the West African country, particularly for irregular migrants who have been repatriated, to assist them in creating workable employment options back home.

And it has expanded a "rotational movement" scheme that provides West Africans limited-duration authorizations to enter Spanish territory for limited periods of periodic labor, mostly in cultivation, and then return.

Strategic Importance

The core principle supporting Madrid's outreach is that Spain, as the European country closest to the continent, has an vital national concern in the region's development toward inclusive and sustainable development, and peace and security.

This fundamental reasoning might seem apparent.

Yet of course history had taken Spain down a quite different path.

Besides a limited Mediterranean outposts and a small tropical outpost – currently sovereign the Gulf of Guinea country – its colonial expansion in the 16th and 17th Centuries had mostly been oriented across the Atlantic.

Prospective Direction

The heritage aspect encompasses not only promotion of the Spanish language, with an expanded presence of the Cervantes Institute, but also initiatives to assist the mobility of educational instructors and researchers.

Protection partnership, action on climate change, female advancement and an enhanced consular representation are expected elements in today's environment.

Nonetheless, the plan also places significant emphasis it places on supporting democratic ideas, the African Union and, in specific, the sub-Saharan cooperative body the Economic Community of West African States.

This will be welcome public encouragement for the latter, which is presently facing significant challenges after seeing its 50th anniversary year tainted by the walk-out of the desert region countries – the Sahel country, the West African state and the Nigerien Republic – whose controlling military regimes have declined to adhere with its agreement regarding democratic governance and good governance.

Simultaneously, in a communication targeted as much at Spain's internal population as its African collaborators, the international relations office said "assisting the African community abroad and the struggle versus discrimination and immigrant hostility are also key priorities".

Eloquent statements of course are only a beginning stage. But in contemporary pessimistic worldwide environment such discourse really does stand out.