Spain and Ireland have had a long and fruitful historical relationship, reinforced over the last 16 years by their membership of the European Union. There is a sympathy between the two peoples, who have got to know one another much better through increasing travel, tourism, trade and cultural contacts during this period.
Spain's current presidency of the EU is highlighted in a supplement published in this newspaper today. It has been an efficient operation, moving along the Union's business across a range of issues. The centre-right Spanish government led by the prime minister, Mr José María Aznar, first took office in 1996, finding itself virtually alone among EU member-states (Ireland excepted) which were led by social democrat coalitions. Over the last year he is no longer so politically isolated, having been joined by a surge of new centre-right governments in Italy, Denmark, Portugal and the Netherlands, with the clear prospect that they will be joined by France and Germany in coming months.
Mr Aznar made common cause with the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern and the British prime minister, Mr Blair before and during the presidency in supporting market liberalisation, privatisations and increased cross-border competitiveness. Some progress towards these objectives was registered at the Barcelona summit in March. Mr Aznar has also sought to bring anti-terrorism issues up the EU's agenda, in response to ETA campaigns and last September's attacks on New York and Washington.
At the European Council in Seville next month the most tricky subject will be agreeing a mandate to negotiate on agriculture with the states seeking to join the EU. The incoming Government will seek a political declaration there assuring Ireland that its military neutrality will not be affected by the Nice Treaty, prior to the expected second referendum in the autumn. The Danish presidency will preside over these issues from July.
Spain is now a thriving modern country, having developed a very long way since it democratised in the 1970s. Its state structures have been radically reconfigured since then in an experiment with regionalised government, which has worked well despite the continuing troubles in the Basque country. The future of Gibraltar is being intensively negotiated with Britain, running up against implacable opposition from its residents to the idea of joint sovereignty, which the Spaniards would regard as only an interim solution.