Antonia Mendez
Madrid, Jan 6 (EFE) .- The King Philip VI of Spain, in his first speech as Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces during the military Pascual, main Spanish military celebration, praised the Army’s role in international missions as an instrument of foreign policy of Spain.
The monarch, in a ceremony held in the Throne Room of the Royal Palace of Madrid and accompanied by Queen Letizia, recalled Today members of the Armed Forces’ command is to serve “and pledged to all meet this maximum.
Dressed in full uniform of the Navy, Captain General of the Armies, paid tribute of gratitude to his father, King Juan Carlos, who abdicated on June 18. “To him I dedicate this day tribute of gratitude and respect it deserves from all of us,” he proclaimed.
In his speech highlighted the preparation of the Armed Forces and the recognition they receive from the Spaniards and where traveling to meet international missions.
“The preparation and permanent availability that you have shown over the years in your performance and as an instrument of foreign policy of Spain, we have earned the respect and recognition not only Spanish, but also from our partner and allies, “he said.
He referred to international missions where soldiers and civilian guards (rural police and border) Spanish, which constitute part said , “a source of pride for all” for his “effort and commitment to defend the interests of Spain”.
The Spanish Armed Forces have completed 25 years of participation in peacekeeping missions abroad and in Currently more than 1,700 soldiers are out of Spain in eleven missions located in nine countries, including Afghanistan, Iraq, Lebanon and Somalia.
Philip VI recalled that the EU, NATO and the UN know well their “dedication and commitment” and value them because they have earned their reputation “day, with professionalism, rigor and discipline, and carrying gala combination of courage, humanity and empathy that characterize the Spanish soldier.”
The king, who addressed the audience as “companions”, thanked them for their “commitment of loyalty and service to Spain and the Crown”.
He wishes for his education and military, or the evolution of the Armed Forces who claimed to have followed “very closely” and also for experienced “very emotional and intimate moments”, both in Spain and abroad, with the military.
As the Military Easter is time to take stock and look to the future, Philip VI also spoke of the “inescapable duty” which means “manage resources more effectively and efficiently as possible.”
The Defence Minister Peter Morenés, also referred in his speech to the outstanding Spanish in Afghanistan, Somalia, Mali, Senegal and Iraq to combat terrorism threat -the “you can not conjure looking the other way, but making front with our allies.”
The celebration of the Military Pascual in Spain dates back to the eighteenth century, after the January 6, 1782 Carlos III congratulated the Spanish troops retook the city of Mahon -in the Mediterranean island of Menorca- held by the English.
Philip VI recovered the traditional format of the commemoration, with reviewing the Guard before access to the Palace for the ceremony, after the mobility problems of King Juan Carlos they had limited over the past two years.
Completed the military protocol, the interpretation of the national anthem and 21 guns reserved the head of state, kings, the Prime Minister, Mariano Rajoy, ministers Defense Pedro Morenés, and Interior, Jorge Fernandez Diaz and senior military commanders they went to the palace to celebrate the ceremony as every January 6.
The event, in which the monarch won 19 medals, attended by nearly 150 guests, mostly military and Civil Guard, as well as, for the first time, a group of reservists. EFE
adr / lvp / jdm / ma / sm
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