EURussiaCentreEU-Russia Centre

Spain has made clear its desire to use its Presidency to improve EU-Russia relations which have been going through a period of some difficulty since the war in Georgia. Prime Minister Zapatero has noted that global security is largely dependent on mutual understanding between Russia and EU, and stated that that Spain was committed to increasing trust and cooperation between the two regions. Foreign Minister Miguel Moratinos said shortly after Spain assumed the Presidency that he would work towards abolishing visas for Russians wishing to visit the EU.

Spain is well placed to take the lead in efforts to improve EU-Russia relations. Russo-Spanish relations are free from the many biases and unresolved historical arguments that affect many other bilateral relationships. Both countries have a glorious imperial past, are large countries, have emerged recently from dictatorships, and have made considerable input into the world’s cultural heritage.

Spain enjoys a steady inflow of Russian tourists and investments. According to the Russian ambassador to Spain, trade between Russia and Spain in 2008 reached ten billion Euros. The same source estimates that 300,000 Russian tourists visited Spain in 2008, while 100,000 Spaniards visited Russia. There are up to eight regular flights a day to Spain from just Moscow airports, and numerous charter flights are scheduled by tourist agencies and businesses. Spain is immensely popular among wealthier Russians as a place to buy their second home or have a summer dacha.

Its climate and favorable tax regime have continued to attract Russian money even after the financial crisis. According to DOKI real estate agency, Russians spent up to two billion Euros in 2009 for purchasing property in Spain. The permanent living Russian-speaking community in Spain is currently estimated at quarter of a million (www.russianspain.com).

In the political sphere, over the last two years, there were several high profile meetings between the Russian president and Spain’s leaders, including a state visit by President Medvedev to Spain. What is noticeably absent from Russo-Spanish relations, is the history of energy-related scandals: Spain is not involved in Russian state oil and gas companies’ shady dealings, nor does it have to suffer from annual supply cut threats.

As for the less tangible sphere, that has to do with culture and tradition, Russians know Spanish writers and painters, appreciate its food and wine, and admire its royal family. Perhaps, the latter is exactly where Spain can set a positive example to the current Russian ruling elite. Although the monarchy was abolished in Russia in 1917 many Russians are still attracted to this very traditional form of governance…

Maybe Russian will relate to the Spanish monarchy more than they do to the traditional Anglo-Saxon democracies. Its features, such as consistently defending the interests of the nation, its modesty, dignity, responsibility and positioning above the day-to-day political fight, are directly opposite to the newly powerful Russian leaders’ behaviour. It is to be hoped that this example of soft power could help to re-introduce European values to Russia. Given Russian leaders’ lack of controversy in dealing with Spanish colleagues and no history of thorny bi-lateral arguments, they might be more receptive to the ideals of active civil society, rule of law and human rights when they are propagated by their perceived peers – the Spanish royals.

The column has been published at Presidencia en la Sombra