The continuous changes that occur in the field of international relations require that the instruments and means necessary for the development of the international relations be carried out.

One of these instruments is the very organization of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which must be adapted to the new geopolitical realities, as well as to the priorities of Spanish foreign policy at every moment.

Among the new geopolitical realities, is the fact that terrorism has become the main threat in the international security context.

It is therefore necessary for the Directorate-General to deal with international security matters to integrate the functions related to the international fight against terrorism, which are currently under way in the an area of the Department other than the Directorate General of Foreign Policy for North America and for Security and Disarmament.

as far as the priorities of Spanish foreign policy are concerned, it is now appropriate to integrate all the sub-directorates-general which are currently in charge of promoting the European foreign policy into a Directorate-General. interests of Spain in a geographical area with its own particular relevance, and which concerns matters relating to Asia, the Pacific and North America.

This is the objective of this Royal Decree, through which the organic structure of the Secretariat of State of Foreign Affairs is partially reordered, in order to make it more suitable for the achievement of the objectives before statements.

In its virtue, at the initiative of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, on a proposal from the Minister of Public Administration, and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 27 December 2002,

D I S P O N G O:

Single item. Partial amendment of Royal Decree 1473/2000 of 4 August 2000.

1. Paragraph 2.o of Article 1.2 of Royal Decree 1473/2000 of 4 August 2000, for which the basic organic structure of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is developed, is amended as follows:

" 2.o The Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, on which the following management bodies depend:

(a) General Secretariat for Foreign Affairs, with the rank of Undersecretary.

b) Directorate-General for Security, Disarmament and International Affairs on Terrorism.

c) Directorate-General for Foreign Policy for the Mediterranean, Middle East and Africa.

d) General Directorate of Foreign Policy for Asia, Pacific and North America.

e) Directorate-General for International Economic Relations. "

2. Article 9 of Royal Decree 1473/2000 of 4 August 2000 is amended as follows:

" Article 9. Directorate-General for Security, Disarmament and International Affairs on Terrorism.

1. Under the Secretary-General for Foreign Affairs, it is up to the Directorate-General for Security, Disarmament and International Affairs of Terrorism to draw up, propose and implement foreign policy in relation to matters. International security, disarmament and terrorism.

2. For compliance with the above mentioned functions, the Directorate-General is structured in the following Subdirectorates General:

(a) Deputy Director General for International Security Affairs, which is responsible for, among other functions, the preparation of decisions and positions of Spain on international security and defence issues, both at the level of the bilateral as a multilateral.

(b) Deputy Director-General for International Affairs on Disarmament, in charge of monitoring the general activities and disarmament and arms control negotiations within the framework of the European Union, the United Nations and other specific fora in which Spain participates, as well as the follow-up to the general verification of the disarmament and arms control agreements of which Spain is a party.

3. It also depends on the Director-General, the Ambassador to the Special Mission for Terrorism Affairs. " 3. Article 11 of Royal Decree 1473/2000 of 4 August 2000 is amended as follows:

" Article 11. Directorate General for Foreign Policy for Asia, the Pacific and North America.

1. Under the Secretary-General of Foreign Affairs, it is up to the Directorate-General for Foreign Policy for Asia, the Pacific and North America to develop, propose and implement foreign policy in the geographical area. corresponding.

2. For compliance with the above mentioned functions, the Directorate-General is structured in the following bodies:

a) Subdirectorate General of Continental Asia.

b) Pacific, Southeast Asian and Philippine General Subdirectorate.

c) North American Subdirection General.

These Subdirectorates General are responsible for the defense and promotion of the interests of Spain in this area, the promotion of bilateral relations with the countries that compose them, the analysis of the political situation and The Commission's proposal for a Council Directive on the approximation of the laws of the Member States of the European Parliament and of the Council of 29 March 2000 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States "

Additional disposition first. Removal of organs.

The General Directorate of Foreign Policy for North America and for Security and Disarmament, and the Directorate General for Foreign Policy for Asia and the Pacific are deleted.

Additional provision second. Public expenditure.

The application of the forecasts contained in this Royal Decree, as well as the implementation of the organizational measures deriving from it, will not imply the creation of jobs or any increase in expenditure public.

Single transient arrangement. Continuity of units and jobs.

Units and jobs with a lower organic level than Subdirección General, which are in the organs that are deleted, will continue to remain until the corresponding employment relationship is modified.

Final disposition first. Powers of development.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs is hereby authorized to take the necessary measures for the development and implementation of this Royal Decree.

Final disposition second. Entry into force.

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

Given in Madrid on December 27, 2002.

JOHN CARLOS R.

The Minister of Public Administration,

JAVIER ARENAS BOCANEGRA