| | In 2006 the Spanish government developed and approved an 'Action Plan for Africa'. For the first time in its history, this 'historic milestone' - as defined by the Spanish government - Spain joined the club of the United Kingdom (UK), the World Bank, the European Union (EU), the G8 and even China - all of whom also approved various 'plans' for Africa during 2005-06. Traditionally Spain focused its foreign policy on Latin America and tried to play a role within the European context of a bridge between Europe and Central and Southern American countries. However, during the 1990s the Mediterranean became an area of growing interest and Spain began to devote efforts and resources to enhance its role in the region. Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia (and to a lesser extent Eastern Europe) remained residual, until recently. |
