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Spain Spain and the Middle East
In spite of tensions with Morocco over control of Ceuta
and
Melilla, Spain continued to consider itself as a bridge
between
the Arab world and Western Europe. In an effort to
maintain good
relations with Islamic states, the Spanish government
adopted a
pro-Arab stance in most Middle East conflicts. For years,
Spain
was the only West European country that did not recognize
Israel.
The Spanish government finally established diplomatic
relations
with the Israeli state in January 1986. When that step
resulted
in widespread criticism from the Arab states, Spain
hastened to
compensate by according diplomatic status to the Palestine
Liberation Organization (PLO) mission in Madrid in August
1986.
More generalized efforts to increase Spain's role
throughout the
Middle East and Africa in the 1980s included expanded
trade and
cultural relations.
Data as of December 1988
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