The 6th session of the Forum on Minority Issues
V. Promotion of constructive interfaith dialogue, consultation and exchange
Permanent Mission of Spain
Thank you, madam chairperson,
From the permanent delegation of Spain, we wish to emphasize that Spain is a non-denominational
state, as our constitutional text indicates, as stated in Article 16 of the Constitution, that no confession
will have a state character. However, this does not imply establishing the principle of direct collaboration
with each and every one of the religious denominations, regardless of the size or the moment in which
they were constituted in our country. This decisive aspect and obligation of the Kingdom of Spain,
which is established by its constitution, is also being defined in international organizations. We would
also like to stress that the countries of Austria and Saudi Arabia, together with Spain, Of the King
Abdullah International Center for Interreligious and Intercultural Dialogue, which I must say was
inaugurated in the presence of United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. As well as with the
expectations that have been put in place in the matter of interreligious dialogue in this center. I would like
to remind and thank the Holy See that it is an international observer and that it is also present in the (...)
now one of the last initiatives that have been carried out were last week in Vienna, has brought together
more than 800 people Representatives of the different religions that exist in the world, in some countries
majorities and in other countries minorities. To work for and through interreligious and intercultural
dialogue. We must point out from the Spanish state our firm commitment to interreligious and
intercultural dialogue as a search for pluralism capable of granting a democratic society but united to the
principles of peace that all religious denominations coincide in pointing out and in that peaceful
coexistence that will be And it is the promotion of our democracy and our peaceful coexistence.