security challenges are concentrated. Moreover, Spain has on its southern border a major differentiating feature: its land borders on the African continent. Its strategic relations—involving political, security, defence, and intelligence cooperation—with the neighbouring countries of France, Morocco, and Portugal are therefore especially important. Another noteworthy feature is Spain’s markedly Atlantic nature, as a maritime power and as an actor with a long history of global interests beyond its natural borders. In a global context of a shift in power towards such dynamic areas as the Asia-Pacific region, and of such growing importance as Latin America and West Africa, the Atlantic Basin is acquiring even greater relevance for Spain’s present and future, in geopolitical, economic, and security terms. Spain’s Atlantic coast provides a maritime connection to global markets, while also concentrating major economic and energy interests—as well as a number of security challenges. This enhances the priority of strategic ties to the United States and the countries of Latin America, as well as justifying the importance of new diplomatic and security ties to the countries of West Africa. Beyond Spain’s geostrategic field, contingencies and developments occurring on the international scene in areas very far from its borders and traditional special-interest zones can also have an impact on its national security. There is the growing interest in the Asia-Pacific region, the new epicentre of global geopolitics. Another area worth singling out is the Arctic, which has gained in strategic and security importance. The melting of the Arctic ice marked the opening of this space to new maritime routes, with new possibilities for exploration and international cooperation, and to new challenges—such as possible geopolitical tension. Considering Spain’s identity, commitments, and geostrategic situation, as well as its interests and values and the possible impact of threats and challenges to its security, the following areas are of special interest to Spanish national security: Europe, North Africa and the Middle East, Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, North America, and Asia-Pacific. None of these areas is self-contained, and the threats and challenges they present can easily spread beyond their borders. Therefore, it is necessary to take a comprehensive and dynamic approach to their security conditions and to the strategic developments occurring there, adapting and updating the approach regularly. Presidency of the Government National Security Strategy 2017 39