We, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland, Zbigniew Rau, Romania, Bogdan Aurescu, and the Kingdom of Spain, José Manuel Albares met today in Valencia for the first trilateral ministerial meeting between Poland, Romania and Spain, hereinafter the “Valencia Trio”.

Representing Poland, Romania and Spain, who together account for almost a quarter of the population of the European Union, as well as the fourth, fifth and sixth most populous Nations of the Union,

Welcoming the upcoming Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union,

Reaffirming our joint commitment to work for a united and resilient European Union acting in a coordinated manner, based on the principles of solidarity, cohesion, democracy, and commitment to fundamental rights,

Underlining our commitment to the EU, NATO and the transatlantic bond, and to the strategic partnership between the EU and NATO,

Reiterating our joint commitment to further deepening transatlantic relations, which are inextricably linked to peace and stability on the European continent,

Highlighting our longstanding work in decisive geographic areas such as the Baltic Sea, the Black Sea and the Mediterranean, all three key cardinal points for European security,

Reaffirming, 15 months into the full-scale war of aggression unleashed by Russia against Ukraine, our strong and lasting commitment to Ukraine and its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders,

Recognising our commitment to continue all efforts to provide Ukraine with military assistance needed to defend its sovereignty against Russia’s aggression,

Acknowledging the leadership shown by our peoples and governments in providing humanitarian aid and assistance to the Ukrainian people,

Noting that more than 8 million Ukrainians have been forced to flee their homeland and seek refuge in neighbouring countries across Europe,

Aware that Russia’s war of aggression has seriously undermined the rules-based international order, and has had profound implications across the Globe,

Mindful of the long-term challenges that the war has raised for the security and stability of the European and Euro-Atlantic communities, and of the complex threats and challenges posed by Russia’s actions, in particular against countries in the Eastern Neighbourhood,

We have agreed to:

Political consultations under the Trilateral Ministerial Meeting format, the “Valencia Trio”

1. Hold these trilateral meetings periodically, under the ministerial format of the "Valencia Trio", as a forum for consultation between our countries.

2. Include the preparation and regular follow-up of these Valencia Trio meetings in the framework of consultations between our respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs.

3. Strengthen cooperation between our three countries, in all areas, as a way to create a robust synergy of interests and capabilities between Poland, Romania, and Spain. 

Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union

4. Support the members of the Trio in the preparation and development of their rotating presidencies of the Council of the European Union and continue the cooperation with the upcoming Trio.

5. Explore the active support of Poland and Romania to the Spanish Presidency of the Council in priority areas such as EU resilience, common actions to strengthen the external borders of the Union, justice, competitiveness, ecological and digital transition.

6. Cooperate in an active and solidary manner to ensure that the principles of a united, strong and resilient European Union are reflected also in the adoption without further delay of a positive decision on Romania’s accession into the Schengen area, thus recognising Romania’s significant contribution to the internal security of the EU.

7. Continue actions towards the renewed transatlantic partnership, guided by the European Union and the United States Summit Declaration of 15 June 2021.

8. Actively engage with partners and allies around the world, especially under the frameworks held under the Spanish Presidency of the Council: EU-CELAC Summit, a potential EU-Southern Neighbourhood Summit, and the third meeting of the European Political Community.

9. Renew the European-Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC) relationship. Strategic partnership with LAC will result in greater security and contribute to strategic resilience for Europe. Europe and LAC share similar values and interests, history and culture. The Spanish Presidency of the Council can act as a bridge for dialogue between the two regions. We look forward to the EU-CELAC Summit and to a successful outcome in terms of participation and deliverables. Instruments like Global Gateway, an actualised roadmap, a permanent coordination mechanism to follow up the commitments of the Summit and especially EU Trade policy should play a prominent role to achieve these 4 aims. Advancing negotiations on the pending agreements with Chile, Mexico and Mercosur should be a priority.

10. Play an active role in strengthening our ties with our Eastern and Southern partners. Poland, Romania, and Spain have valuable experience and expertise in reaching out to these countries, as Member States at the external borders of the European Union.

11. Poland, Romania, and Spain will cooperate to ensure an enhanced and deeper engagement of the European Union towards the Eastern Neighbourhood, with a view to developing connectivity, deepening economic integration, expanding trade and investment links, and strengthening regional resilience and energy security.

12. Poland, Romania, and Spain agree to make the most of the new dynamic on the Southern Neighbourhood to consolidate this format, with a view to holding periodical high level meetings and boost sectoral interaction across the board to face common threats in a proactive way. Envisage the first summit as a turning point in the relationship.

13. Support the Spanish Presidency of the Council in building consensus at the European level in supporting Ukraine, also in the context of the accession process. The Spanish Presidency has the potential to strengthen the EU’s unity and determination to assist Ukraine in all fields in the medium and long term, as well as in post-conflict reconstruction and EU membership perspective.

14. Support the Republic of Moldova and its ambition to become a member of the EU all throughout its accession process.

15. The Valencia Trio will support the Western Balkan countries accession process and will encourage the efforts made for their progressive integration in the EU. 

European Agenda

16. Continue the strong multidimensional support to Ukraine in responding to Russia’s war of aggression, for as long as it is necessary.

17. Reaffirm our steadfast support to the enlargement of the European Union through an own-merit based process, and to our engagement to improving alignment with the Common Foreign and Security Policy by candidate and future candidate countries. Our neighbours in the Western Balkans, Ukraine and the Republic of Moldova, as well as other candidate countries, should be given the necessary support to join the EU as soon as possible. Georgia should be offered the candidate status once all conditions set out by the European Commission are duly fulfilled. In parallel, the Eastern Partnership, which provides a useful framework for the EU's Eastern policy, needs to be strongly supported.

18. Strengthen Europe’s resilience. Key areas such as energy, food security, digitalisation, health and supply chains security must be prioritised. This entails consolidating our energy independence, especially from Russia, ensuring proper access to raw materials and strengthening the capabilities of European industry in the different technologies, particularly taking into account the objectives linked to the decarbonisation of the economy. A greater interconnection throughout EU, including of the Iberian Peninsula, may contribute to the reinforcement of the EU’s energy security and resilience in the interest of all European citizens

19. Reform the European energy market and electricity sector towards a full Energy Union serving the dual objective of European energy independence and climate neutrality. High electricity prices threaten the competitiveness of our businesses and the wellbeing of our fellow citizens.

20. Bringing energy independence to the centre of discussions with our Eastern partners. Priority should be given to strengthening connectivity, ensuring access to reliable and 6 all affordable energy sources, encouraging renewable and energy efficiency and the renewables, promoting diversification of sources and transport routes, including by establishing new supply routes, interalia, through Central Asia, the South Caucasus and across the Black Sea, thus undermining Russian blackmail and guaranteeing our Eastern partners’ energy needs.

21. Develop tools capable of countering new hybrid and high-tech threats. Foreign Information Manipulation and Interference (FIMI) strategies represent one of the greatest risks to the stability and future of the EU. We stand by the Foreign Affairs Council conclusions of 21st of June 2022, championed by Spain, on FIMI and call for a coordinated EU response.

22. Support progress in the negotiations of reform of the EU economic governance in order to finalise legislative work by the end of the year. 23. Work on the basis of the Commission proposal, towards the completion of the Banking Union that ensures financial stability, and protect depositors and taxpayers.

24. Emphasise our belief in a strong, united and prosperous Schengen area as an area of free movement without controls at internal borders. We reiterate our firm support for the enlargement of Schengen.

Security and defence

25. Underline NATO's central role in ensuring peace and security in the Euro-Atlantic area. NATO remains the foundation of our collective defence and the essential forum for joint action, security consultations and decisions among Allies. The NATO-EU strategic partnership should be further strengthened in a spirit of mutual openness, transparency and complementarity. Effective cooperation between NATO and the EU avoids duplication and preserves interoperability. NATO's complementarity and cooperation with the EU adds value to Europe's security. 

26. Express our commitment to make the EU a stronger and more capable security provider and to reinforce the EU's civilian and military CSDP (Common Defence and Security Policy) missions and operations, as set out in the Strategic Compass. A stronger and more capable EU in security and defence will contribute positively to global and transatlantic security and is complementary to NATO.

27. Support NATO's efforts to strengthen and secure the Alliance's Eastern flank. The joint participation of Poland, Romania, and Spain in NATO's Deterrence and Defence Posture demonstrates our continued commitment to ensuring Allied security. Deterrence and defence play a key role in the protection of our citizens.

28. Support NATO’s efforts Southern flank especially with regard to new and fast-emerging threats, such as terrorism, in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the Sahel region.

29. Exchange lessons learned and explore opportunities for cooperation and mutually reinforcing actions with a view to enhancing security in the Baltic, Black Sea and Mediterranean regions.

30. Support NATO’s Open Door policy and step up security and capacity-building assistance to partners in our neighbourhoods, including Ukraine, Republic of Moldova, and Georgia.

31. Support Ukraine’s Euro-Atlantic aspirations and thus work on enhancing political and practical cooperation between NATO and Ukraine.

32. Explore possible coordination in strengthening NATO and our Allies’ Resilience, seeking the most appropriate formats to combine national and EU competencies with NATO requirements. 

33. Coordinate positions on Military Mobility. Our three countries participate in the EU’s Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) and have welcomed US participation in this mechanism.

34. Explore possible synergies and cooperation on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies in the fields of defence and security, especially given the participation of Poland, Romania, and Spain in the NATO Defence Innovation Accelerator.

35. Identify initiatives where the joint expertise and interests of our three countries can converge, so that Polish, Romanian, and Spanish companies can develop capacitybuilding objectives under trilateral partnerships, including within the framework of the new European defence initiatives.

36. Coordinate, when feasible, on defence and security matters, at both EU and NATO level, and the various international fora in which we participate.

 

Signed at Valencia on 23rd of May 2023 in triplicate.

 

For the Republic of Poland       For Romania                 For  the Kingdom of Spain

Zbigniew RAU                               Bogdan AURESCU        José Manuel ALBARES