The Spanish Verification Unit is celebrating its 35th anniversary

The ceremony was presided over by the Chief of the General Secretariat of EMACON, Major General Guillermo Pablo García del Barrio Díez

The Spanish Verification Unit (UVE) celebrated its 35th anniversary at a ceremony presided over by the Chief of the General Secretariat of EMACON (JESEGEN), Major General Guillermo Pablo García del Barrio Díez, in the Capitán Cabeza de Vaca Hall at Retamares Base.

The commemoration was also attended by the base commander and commander of the Operations Command, Lieutenant General José Antonio Agüero Martínez, as well as the generals in charge of the other units at the Retamares base, the divisions of the EMAD, officials from organisations outside the EMAD, and a large group of former members of the UVE.

During the event, the Ministerial Order establishing the UVE and the agenda, including the anniversary congratulations, were read out. The head of the UVE, Colonel Carlos Javier Armada Vázquez, then gave a speech in which he thanked the authorities and former members of the Unit for attending. He also highlighted the continued validity of the treaties signed by Spain, the potential for Spanish defence diplomacy represented by the deployment of the UVE on missions involving small arms, light weapons and conventional ammunition, and the expertise and commitment of the Unit’s members. Finally, he concluded by emphasising the pride felt by all members, both current and former, in belonging to the UVE.

This was followed by speeches from former members and staff who had served at the UVE, who shared their experiences and anecdotes from over the years in an atmosphere of camaraderie and pride in belonging. Their presence at the anniversary celebrations always reinforces the cohesion and spirit that have characterised the UVE since its inception.

The event concluded with closing remarks from JESEGEN, who congratulated the Unit’s staff on their track record and commitment to the Unit, as well as on their efforts carried out to mark the change of location. He also thanked the base commander for the support received in driving forward the construction of the new UVE building in 2027. Furthermore, he highlighted the proactivity of the Unit’s members in tackling new challenges, such as field verification exercises in the field of APAL/MC, and their participation in the Joint Commissions (COMMIX) as part of bilateral cooperation programmes.

The UVE has a wide range of responsibilities, as it carries out inspections, assessments, observation flights and other verification activities in other states, coordinated through the appropriate forums with allied countries and the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE). To this end, its staff possess a high level of technical expertise, proficiency in English and Russian, knowledge of materials and equipment, and solid experience in negotiation within multinational and operational environments.

The UVE is the State’s instrument for fulfilling its obligations under international arms control treaties and for addressing future challenges relating to security and stability.