ABSTRACT

Spanish foreign policy became more constructive in relation to the European integration process. The central document of Spanish defence policy is the National Defence Law of 2005 that was adopted during the first Zapatero government. Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez began to develop a coherent Spanish foreign policy based on European Union (EU) membership and in which the Atlantic alliance continued to be crucial, although always balanced towards Spanish interests. During the first Gulf War in 1991, Felipe Gonzalez's government supported the coalition forces. It showed that the American dominance of NATO completely conditioned the foreign policy of Spain. Spanish presidencies of the European Union in 1989, 1995, 2002 and 2010 played a major role in pushing the European integration forward. Spain also has its national priorities in terms of foreign policy. These priorities are Morocco/the Mediterranean and Latin America. Moreover, defence policy is more and more part of a European overarching strategy, including in terms of the armaments industry.