COMUNICACIÓN

The director-general for External Action of the Regional Government of Extremadura, Pablo Hurtado, has emphasised Extremadura’s role as a link between Europe and the Americas, highlighting the work carried out by the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation through the Campus Yuste courses, “because this too is foreign policy, international action and public diplomacy”. (18/07/2025)

He made these remarks at the closing session of the course “The New World Order and the Atlantic Axis”, held from 16 to 18 July at the Monastery of San Jerónimo de Yuste.

According to Hurtado, Extremadura is ideally placed to serve as a bridge and meeting space between Europe and Ibero-America due to its historical and cultural legacy, shared heritage, and the presence of institutions such as the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation, “a space for critical thinking, a laboratory of ideas and a forum for dialogue”, he explained.

In his address, the director-general also defended “European, Ibero-American and Atlantic identity” in the face of uncertain, volatile and ever-changing times marked by interlinked challenges. “We are at a turning point that calls for a committed perspective,” he said.

In this regard, Hurtado described the present time as a dilemma characterised by “multiple centres of power but little shared governance; numerous actors, yet rules that are constantly contested”.

In light of Europe’s evident vulnerabilities —such as energy dependence, technological fragility, and the lack of strategic autonomy— the director-general proposed strengthening industrial, technological and defence capabilities, as well as “promoting a more coherent and firmer European foreign policy”, he concluded.

Over the course of three days, experts, academics, politicians and scholars analysed a range of current issues, including drug trafficking and terrorism, the relationship between the US Administration and the war in Ukraine, and the impact of decisions taken by Donald Trump, among other topics.

The Campus Yuste course is organised in collaboration with the Regional Government of Extremadura, the Valhondo Foundation, Patrimonio Nacional, Mafresa, the EU–LAC Foundation, the Ibero-American General Secretariat, the Catholic University of Puerto Rico, and the Provincial Councils of Cáceres and Badajoz.

The course is co-directed by Francisco Rodríguez, professor at the University of Extremadura, and Juan Carlos Moreno, director of the European and Ibero-American Academy of Yuste Foundation.