Politics

Nato is ‘fundamental’ to us, says Spain’s new ambassador to Ireland

But Ion de la Riva believes that Europe needs to take more responsibility for its own defence and believes Ireland must update its position on neutrality

Ion de la Riva, Spain’s Ambassador to Ireland: ‘I think we're basically experiencing a new world architecture’. Picture: Fergal Phillips

Being a member of Nato is “fundamental” for Spain and Europe must spend more on its own defence security, its new ambassador to Ireland has said.

Speaking after the recent controversy here about President Michael D Higgins’ comments about a “dangerous drift” toward military alliances, Ion de la Riva dismissed talk of a European army, because Nato already exists and is working.

“We feel that this is working, and you don’t fix anything that is ...