Robles underlines the national pride that the Navy represents during her visit to the 'Juan Sebastián de Elcano'.

The Minister of Defense praised the professionalism and dedication of the sailors on the emblematic training ship, docked in Gijón as part of the XCVII training cruise.

During the last day of her institutional visit to Gijón, the Minister of Defense, Margarita Robles, has boarded the training ship 'Juan Sebastián de Elcano'. There, she highlighted the excellence of the Spanish Navy, affirming: "We have the best Navy in the world", and underlining "the professionalism and dedication of the soldiers who are part of it".

Robles was received by the ship's commander, Captain Luis Carreras-Presas, with whom she had a conversation about the training and diplomatic work carried out by the vessel. The ship is in its penultimate stop within the XCVII training cruise, after having sailed through three national ports and ten foreign ports.

Friday began with an institutional visit to Gijón City Hall, where Robles was received by the mayor, María del Carmen Moriyón, and signed the book of honor. Later, she visited the exhibition "Gijón/Xixón. Epicenter. Photography (1858-1992)" at the Revillagigedo Palace, before boarding the frigate 'Blas de Lezo', where she was received by the commander Pedro Jesús Ramos.

During her visit to the frigate, the minister learned details about the operations carried out in June by this ship in Mediterranean waters, as part of NATO's Naval Strike and Support Forces.

Both the 'Juan Sebastián de Elcano' and the 'Blas de Lezo' will remain in the port of Gijón until July 7, and will open their doors to the public between July 4 and 6, from 15:00 to 22:00 hours.

Source: https://www.defensa.gob.es/gabinete/notasPrensa/2025/07/DGC-notadeprensa-robles-elcano.html