José Manuel Albares Bueno

José Manuel Albares Bueno

José Manuel Albares Bueno (1972) is the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Spain. He was appointed on 10 July 2021 and ratified on 21 November 2023. Elected Deputy for Madrid in the Spanish Parliament on 17 August 2023.

Jose has been the Spanish Ambassador to the French Republic and the Principality of Monaco and Secretary-General for International Affairs, European Union, G20 and Global Security at the Office of the President of the Government, acting as a sherpa to the President of the Government both within the European Union and the G20.

Career diplomat. He has been posted to Colombia, France and the Permanent Representation of Spain to the OECD. In his posting to the OECD, he was elected Vice-Chairman of the Development Assistance Committee (DAC).

Jose holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Deusto University, specialised in legal-economic matters with a Diploma in Business Science, a Diploma in National Defence from CESEDEN and a Diploma in Cultural Management Abroad from Carlos III University, in collaboration with the Diplomatic School. He founded and coordinated the Circle for International Reflection.

He has been awarded the Commander by Number of the Order of Isabella the Catholic, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit of the Italian Republic, the Grand Cross of the Royal Order of the Pole Star of Sweden, the Grand Cross of the Order of the Dannebrog of the Kingdom of Denmark, the Grand Cross of the Order of San Carlos of the Republic of Colombia, the Grand Cross of the Order of Boyacá of the Republic of Colombia, the Grand Cross of the Order of Merit for Distinguished Services in Peru, the Grand Cross of the Order of Orange-Nassau of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and the Medal of Yaroslav the Wise of Ukraine.
Minister Jose has four children.

Spain and the EU

Spain’s aspirations to join the European Communities gained momentum with the advent of democracy and, to this end, it officially applied for membership of the European Economic Community on 26 July 1977. This Spanish aspiration was fulfilled eight years later, on 12 June 1985, with the signing of the Treaty of Accession in Madrid and effective integration into the Economic Community on 1 January 1986. Since then, Spain’s path has been marked by important advances that have resulted in the well-being of Spanish society as a whole.

Spain and NATO

Spain did not join the integrated military structure until 1999. It has always been a reliable, secure and committed ally of the North Atlantic Alliance. From a foreign policy point of view, Spain works in the Atlantic Council to ensure that our interests are taken into account, with particular attention to partners on the southern flank. Spain’s commitment to the Alliance was given special recognition when the NATO Summit of 2022 was held in Spain in Madrid, coinciding with the 40th anniversary of our accession to the organisation.