MADRID (AFP)--King Juan Carlos said Wednesday the global economic crisis shows Spain must play a strong role in world affairs to ensure its "growth, well-being and security," in his traditional Christmas message.
"The current economic crisis shows how much we depend ever more on the rest of the world and we have to know how to skillfully manage the defense of our interests in the world," he said in the televised address.
"For that, today more than ever, Spain's international role is important, in our institutions, companies and professionals, to ensure our growth, well-being and security."
Spain launched an intense and successful diplomatic lobbying effort to obtain a seat at the G20 financial summit in Washington in November, arguing that as the world's eighth-largest economy it deserved to attend.
The king noted that Spain is also preparing to hold the six-month presidency of the European Union in 2010.
"For that we must also give a new impetus to our relations with the United States, strengthen our solid ties with Latin America and with the Mediterranean and maintain our profile in Africa and Asia."
He also called on Spaniards, particularly political parties, unions and company bosses, to unite to overcome the economic crisis.
"Let us...move in the same direction, with each one of us bringing their own grain of sand," he said.
Spain's once-buoyant economy has suffered as the global financial crisis hit the key construction sector, which was already weakened by oversupply and rising interest rates, and the country is now facing recession.
Juan Carlos also thanked France for its operations against ETA that resulted in the arrests of three top leaders of the Basque separatist group this year.
ETA, which is blamed for the deaths of 825 people in its 40-year campaign, has stepped up its attacks in 2008 after ending a ceasefire in June, 2007.
Click here to go to Dow Jones NewsPlus, a web front page of today's most important business and market news, analysis and commentary: http://www.djnewsplus.com/access/al?rnd=84PLpaT8RvID0X87MMq8gw%3D%3D. You can use this link on the day this article is published and the following day.

Publié le 24 Décembre 2008 Copyright © 2008 Dowjones