Obama Treats Zapatero as a Good Friend

The meeting between Obama and Zapatero in the White House formalizes the end of the discord that lasted for five years between Washington and Madrid. Zapatero took on the norm of re-establishing traditional good relations with the United States, which he himself demolished with his erroneous impudence toward George W. Bush.

The meeting between both presidents did not come as a surprise. Both cognizant that image was key yesterday, they surely confronted the meeting more as the commencement and starting point for future agreements rather than an interview to close compromises. In fact, it is interesting that they do not formally discuss certain matters; such as the number of Guantanamo prisoners our country will admit. Other subjects were approached only in a general manner.

Obama distinguished Zapatero with very special treatment. He was accommodated in Blair House, the residence situated in front of the White House in which the presidents of the United States receive their prime guests. The complex holds much significance for any European leader since, at the end of World War II, it was the base for designing the Marshall Plan. Additionally, Zapatero interviewed previously with the democratic leader, Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The encounter between Obama and Zapatero was longer than announced. They had lunch and appeared together afterward at a press conference, making their good repertoire visible. The Spanish president leaves very prepared for his visit to the Near East, which begins today in Syria, where he will try to promote a new peace conference in Madrid.

Zapatero had arrived at the White House also as the next president of the European Union – a post he will occupy after January 1 – and, because of this, he had the opportunity to put forward to Obama not only bilateral matters and those of international cooperation, but also issues between the United States and Europe. However, it was the economic crisis and the war against the Taliban in Afghanistan that consumed most of the meeting.

Zapatero asked for “a new, large cycle of American investments in Spain” when the world situation improved; investments that would favor the creation of businesses and employment. He, however, postponed any decision regarding possible contracts of Spanish businesses in high velocity trains or renewable energy on North American soil. The important thing, in reality, was to confirm that we have begun a new era of “fortified collaboration,” as both expressed.

Obama also welcomed Spain’s commitment and support of the mission in Afghanistan.

Aside from this, Obama and Zapatero made their personal harmony apparent, which is favorable for Spain. Left behind are the cold and dry greetings with Bush. It is easy to propose that from now on the dialogue and collaboration between the two countries will increase. This can only yield benefits for Spain, since it also needs the support of the United States to achieve greater weight and prominence in the international scene.