The State Administration abroad in the fulfillment of its objective of defending the interests of Spain and the Spanish, must be able to adapt to the new international reality, framed in the structure institutional of the different organizations of which you are a part.

The Permanent Representation of Spain to the Council of the Western European Union (WEU) was created by Royal Decree 1514/1992 of 11 December, with the aim of strengthening the role of the WEU which would be developed as the defensive component of the European Union.

Since the end of the 1990s, the WEU has become detached from its main competences, being assumed by the European Union. In this respect, the entry into force of the Treaty of Lisbon, with the inclusion of the mutual defence clause in Article 42.7 thereof, as well as the regulation in that Treaty of the Political and Security Committee (COPS) of the Council of the European Union, has been to culminate this process.

With a date of 31 March 2010, the ten Member States of the WEU adopted the decision to close the organisation and the cessation of all its activities no later than 30 September 2011. In accordance with that decision, Spain, which acceded to this organisation on 27 March 1990, denounced the Treaty of Brussels and the relevant conventions dated 18 October 2010.

Consequently, following the agreement on the closure of the WEU, it is appropriate to abolish the Permanent Representation of Spain to the Council of the WEU. On the other hand, it seems appropriate that the Permanent Representation of Spain in the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union should be fully integrated into the Permanent Representation of Spain to the European Union, so that it can the proper representation of Spain in the Political and Security Committee and the working groups that depend on it.

This royal decree is issued in accordance with the provisions of Article 16 of Royal Decree 632/1987 of 8 May on the organization of the State Administration abroad.

In its virtue, at the initiative of the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, on a proposal from the Minister of Finance and Public Administrations and after deliberation by the Council of Ministers at its meeting on 27 April 2012,

DISPONGO:

Article 1. Abolition of the Permanent Representation of Spain in the Council of the WEU.

The Permanent Representation of Spain is abolished at the Council of the Western European Union, based in Brussels.

Article 2. Integration in the Permanent Representation to the European Union of the Permanent Representation of Spain in the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the EU.

The Permanent Representation of Spain in the Political and Security Committee of the Council of the European Union is integrated into the organic structure of the Permanent Representation to the European Union.

Repeal provision. Repeal of rules.

The Royal Decree 1514/1992, of 11 December, is hereby repealed, establishing the Permanent Representation of Spain to the Council of the Western European Union, based in Brussels.

Final disposition first. Amendment of Royal Decree 260/1986 of 17 January establishing the permanent representation of Spain to the European Union.

A new paragraph 4 is added to Article 3 of Royal Decree 260/1986 of 17 January establishing the permanent representation of Spain to the European Union as follows:

" 4. The Government, on a proposal from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, shall also appoint a Permanent Representative of Spain to the Political and Security Committee (COPS) of the Council of the European Union. "

Final disposition second. Entry into force.

This royal decree will enter into force on the day following its publication in the "Official State Gazette".

Given in Madrid, on April 27, 2012.

JOHN CARLOS R.

The Minister of Finance and Public Administrations,

CRISTOBAL MONTORO ROMERO