This is the cornerstone of national security as a State policy and public service whose purpose is to protect citizens´ freedom, rights and wellbeing; to guarantee the defence of Spain and the principles and values enshrined in its Constitution; and to contribute to international security in collaboration with partners and allies. While the Government is responsible for national security, it also involves all administrative bodies and society at large. National security contributes to consolidating the fundamental aspects of 21st century Spain: its democratic system, its plural and open society, its rich territorial and linguistic diversity, its socio-economic development, and its status as a country with a distinctive historical legacy and a global language and culture. These aspects are important to understanding the objectives that Spain advocates in the international arena, as a country that is open to the world and that protects its citizens.The importance of respecting the rule of law and the value of constitutional and European consensus are fundamental criteria that Spain shares with the European Union. Presidency of the Government National Security Strategy 2017 21