Foreign Ministry will have 2,254 million euros, 19.7% more than in 2021

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation will have a budget of 2,254 million euros in 2022, which is 19.7 percent more than the current year, according to the draft General State Budgets (PGE) presented this Wednesday by the Minister of Finance, María Jesús Montero, in Congress.

Of these, 58 million euros, charged to the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan, will be allocated to investments in consular digitization, digital cooperation and comprehensive digital transformation of teaching and dissemination of Spanish culture and language abroad.

For its part, the budget for the Development Cooperation program increases by 59.8 percent, representing an additional 402 million euros, of which 293 million euros, through the Ministry of Health, will be allocated to the supply of vaccines against the covid-19 pandemic.

The Ministry directed by José Manuel Albares has set itself the objectives of demonstrating Spain's commitment to the EU and its ability to lead the European project towards a strong, more social EU, with strategic capacities already capable of defending its values ​​inside and outside the Union.

To do this, it intends to develop foreign action with the aim of defending and promoting the political and economic interests of Spain before third States and before international organizations, enhance its influence in the definition of the international strategy for peace and security, and protect the Spanish citizens abroad. In bilateral matters, Foreign Affairs will focus on strengthening political and economic relations with countries from different continents and areas of interest: Europe, Mediterranean-North Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean, North America, Africa and Asia-Pacific.

It also highlights as priorities to promote the Atlantic area as a strong economic and cultural area, guarantor of peace, security, cooperation and progress. In multilateral matters, it will work for the preservation and strengthening of international organizations, as well as reinforcing the presence and influence of Spain in the processes of defining the peace and security policy of the main international organizations, adapting it to new challenges. In consular matters, the Ministry is committed to protecting Spanish citizens abroad and the exercise of their rights, through a professional and structured foreign service, which requires a comprehensive digital transformation of the Consular Service, modernizing consular information systems and technological infrastructures, adapting them to a citizen-oriented strategy.

 

DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION The development cooperation budget for 2022 increases by 60 percent compared to the previous year to respond to the planet's global problems in a coordinated effort between countries to reform the current cooperation system, adapting it to new challenges and international reality. By 2022, development cooperation will have three fundamental budgetary instruments: the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation (AECID), with a budget of 491 million euros, with an increase of 27.9 percent; the Fund for the Promotion of Development (FONPRODE), with charge of which operations may be authorized for an amount of up to 375 million euros and the Cooperation Fund for Water and Sanitation (FCAS), with charge of which operations may be carried out for an amount of up to 60 million euros.

In addition, the State Secretariat for International Cooperation will have 81 million euros, excluding Cooperation Funds, to carry out its mission

CERVANTES INSTITUTE The Cervantes Institute, present in 88 cities in 45 countries (including centers, antennas and extensions), will have a budget of 161 million euros that will serve to promote the digital change required by the consequences of the pandemic. It will also have an endowment of more than 26 million euros destined to promote a comprehensive digital transformation of the Institute's procedures and services, modernizing information systems and technological infrastructures, increasing quality digital materials and digitizing teaching and learning models. certification.

ADMINISTRATION AND GENERAL SERVICES Finally, the Administration and General Services area of ​​the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is endowed by 2022 in 78 million euros for the direction and coordination of the common services of the Ministry, management of human, material and financial resources and tasks such as preparation, processing and monitoring of international treaties, selection and training of officials of the Diplomatic Career and of the Corps of Translators and Interpreters and management of emergency and crisis situations that affect Spaniards abroad. EFE