Spain and CFSP: The emergence of a ‘major player'?

Abstract

An active participation in CFSP during the 1990s helped enhance Spain's diplomatic status. By the latter half of the decade there were no issues of fundamental principle at stake for Spain in relation to CFSP. Rather, the focus was on securing modest improvements to EU foreign policy instruments. In this respect, Spain was increasingly cautious, favouring intergovernmental procedures and only a very gradual, incremental development of European foreign policy cooperation. Such caution emerged during the PSOE administration, but became more notable under the first PP government. CFSP produced different effects depending on the policy area: in the Mediterranean it facilitated a Europeanization of Spain's strategic interests; in Russia it allowed Spain to let other EU states take the lead in protecting European interests; in Latin America it was insufficient for Spanish objectives, the latter having to be pursued through national policies. Spain became a more mainstream and influential actor within CFSP, but still fell short of enjoying major player status.