MADRID, Nov. 19 (Xinhua) -- Spain launched on Monday the State Secretariat for Global Spain, a body that aims to improve the country's image in the world by promoting its culture, achievements and lifestyle, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation said in a statement.

The entity, which is part of the Ministry, is an evolution of its predecessor, the so-called Marca Espana, and aims to continue opening the country to the world.

"When we look at the perception of Spain in opinion surveys, in some countries we are associated with ideas of gastronomy, tourism and sun, and we want to tell the world that we are much more than that," said State Secretary for Global Spain Irene Lozano.

For this reason, Global Spain will highlight other aspects.

"We are one of the ten countries with the largest number of academic studies and we have reached excellence in several political terms, according to several international indexes, we will emphasize these aspects that show what Spain is today," she explained.

Lozano stressed that it is essential to "improve the reputation" of Spain because "nowadays a political struggle is taking place between open societies and close societies."

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation is willing to contribute to global governance and contribute to a better world, moving from self-absorption to international activism," she noted.