The importance of relations of all kinds between Spain and Colombia, the size of the Spanish colony resident in that country and the increase in travel and population movements between the two countries, has led to a substantial growth in the activity of the Consulate General of Spain in Bogotá, the only Spanish Consulate in Spain. In order to deal adequately with this situation, guaranteeing an adequate level in our consular services, it becomes necessary to open a new Consular Office in Colombia, which will have the category of Consulate General and will be located in the city of Cartagena de Indias. The new Consulate General will provide a better service to both the Spanish residents in the northern part of the country and the high number of tourists who travel to that area, attracted by the city of Cartagena de Indias, declared UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as the varied range of activities and attractions of the entire region. The location of the new Consulate General in Cartagena de Indias also serves other reasons, such as the economic and commercial importance of this city, which has caused a growing number of Spanish companies to settle in their area of influence. In addition, the city of Cartagena de Indias has acquired an international cultural relevance of first order, celebrating in the same an increasing number of cultural events, meetings and seminars of all kinds, with frequent participation Spanish. Finally, it cannot be known that a high number of air links between Spain and Colombia are used as an airport for entry or exit from Cartagena de Indias, which also determines a considerable increase in the presence of Spanish in the area which may require support or consular assistance. The creation of this new Consulate General must be framed within the diplomatic and consular deployment provided for in the Agreement of the Council of Ministers approving measures to enhance the external action of the State, September 2006 (published in the Official Journal of the State of 12 September 2006). Its jurisdiction will extend to the northern part of Colombia and its opening will allow an improvement and rationalization of the work that has been provided by the Consulate General of Spain in Bogotá. In accordance with the provisions of Article 21 of Royal Decree 632/1987 of 8 May 1987 on the organization of the State Administration abroad, with the authorization of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, and after approval of the Minister of Public Administrations, I have had to dispose:

Article 1.

A Consular Office is created in Cartagena de Indias, with a category of Consulate General, dependent on the Permanent Diplomatic Mission of Spain in the Republic of Colombia and with jurisdiction in the following departments: Bolivar, Sucre, Atlantico, Magdalena, Cesar, Guajira, Cordoba and Norte de Santander.

Article 2.

The Consular Office shall have a Head who shall have the category of Consul General, and of the staff who require it for its operation, the number and characteristics of which shall be those resulting from the corresponding relation of posts of the work of official staff and the corresponding catalogue of work staff abroad.

Single end disposition. Entry into force.

This Order shall enter into force on the day following that of its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Madrid, 24 May 2007. The Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Miguel Angel Moratinos Cuyaube.