ABSTRACT
Spain's eagerness to play a major role in Europe's new security architecture has not been marked by complete success. Problems in transforming a large and backward military establishment have been exacerbated by a declining budget and long-term dependence upon imported technology. On the diplomatic front this has been shown by only limited success in extending military protection to Spanish interests in the Mediterranean and only a partial fulfilment of national ambitions at the NATO summit in Madrid in July 1997. However, some satisfaction has been derived from Spanish attempts to achieve a stronger regional emphasis within European security institutions.
