The meeting, at the Palacio de la Moncloa, which follows that with Barack Obama in 2016, was Biden’s first official act upon his arrival in this capital, where he will participate in the summit of the North Atlantic Organization (NATO) slated for Wednesday and Thursday.
Biden told Sanchez that the United States, which has four destroyers at the Rota naval base (southern Spain) will increase these warships to six, which are fundamental pieces of the NATO anti-missile system. According to experts, these vessels have the AEGIS radar system, of which Rota, a naval base jointly used between Spain and the United States, already has experience. Something that undoubtedly will serve to spark criticism of thousands of pacifists in Spain.
In fact, Izquierda Unida and its partner in the Sánchez administration, Podemos, spoiled the holding in the Spanish capital of the NATO summit and were part of the counter-summit for peace, which ended with a massive demonstration through the Madrid center.
The first reports of Biden’s meeting in Moncloa highlighted the excellent bilateral ties and a constructive review of the NATO summit agenda, the panorama of Latin America and global challenges such as climate change, health and energy security.
At the end of the talks, Sanchez underscored the historical ties shared by both nations and the vision towards a future of development, defense of human rights, preservation of the environment and peace, and praised the Joint Declaration that enshrines these aspects.
ef/aph/mgt/ft