Throughout its almost 29 years of existence, the European Centre for Solidarity and Global Interdependence, commonly known as the North-South Centre of the Council of Europe, has brought the values of this organization -democracy, human rights and the rule of law- to fruition in its cooperation programmes, contributing to foster solidarity and interdependence, in particular in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The challenges that inspired the creation of this Enlarged Partial Agreement are still here with us. The mission of the North-South Centre becomes even timelier. Its pledge to expand its activities in the fields of Youth, Empowerment of Women and Global Development Education through innovative concepts and tools will contribute to the fulfilment of this mission.

Today the values that presided over the creation of the Council of Europe are threatened. The mission of the North-South Centre becomes more relevant than ever.

In the forthcoming two years the Spanish Presidency of the Executive Committee of the North-South Centre will spare no efforts to make the dialogue between the different actors of the quadrilogue (Governments, Parliaments, Local and Regional authorities and Civil Society) more effective. We remain firmly convinced that the collaboration between these stakeholders will contribute to an inclusive and peaceful world.

Spain will continue to work towards the promotion of future projects of the North-South Centre. It will support its activities and sustain the relevance of its mission and programmes, in particular in the field of youth cooperation through the Instituto de la Juventud (INJUVE), a key partner of the University on Youth and Development since 2000.

Accordingly, Spain has provided the North-South Centre with contacts with different Spanish institutions working on development cooperation, such as Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP) and the Casa Arabe, in order to strengthen partnerships with the North- South Centre.

Spain will also promote work of the North- South Centre and its activities within the Council of Europe and in the Mediterranean region.

The North-South Centre constitutes a unique framework where members representing the Quadrilogue and members from the South can work together to implement its programmes, bringing together civil society and decision makers, promoting confidence measures, treading a path of common understanding towards democratic and inclusive societies.