The foreign ministers discussed a number of bilateral and multilateral cooperation issues. They welcomed the harmonious development of relations, including the dynamic political dialogue at all levels, the continued huge potential for trade and investment cooperation, and the friendship that binds Poland and Spain. On the 30th anniversary of the Treaty on Friendship and Cooperation, they considered it useful to jointly reflect on how the Polish-Spanish strategic partnership could be strengthened through the revision and renewal of the Treaty. 

Assessing the outcome of the NATO Madrid summit, the ministers stressed the need to maintain a strong transatlantic relationship and to further strengthen the Alliance, in particular its presence on the eastern flank. They reiterated their full support for Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity within its internationally recognised borders. Also discussed were further possibilities to support the country, including the prospect of post-war reconstruction and the planned engagement of Poland and Spain in this project. Another agenda item involved an exchange of views on possible further sanctions against Russia. The officials stressed the need to make the European Union independent of Russian energy sources. Minister Zbigniew Rau and Minister José Manuel Albares Bueno also discussed migration, the European Neighbourhood Policy as well as EU enlargement in the context of the decision to grant candidate status to Ukraine and Moldova. The ministers furthermore discussed the priorities of Spain’s presidency of the Council of the EU (second semester of 2023) and future of the European Union’s relations with Latin America and the Caribbean. 

The chiefs of Polish and Spanish diplomacies welcomed their similar positions on key EU-related and multilateral issues as well as the complementarity of interests in many areas and the significant potential for bilateral cooperation. 

The meeting of foreign ministers of Poland and Spain took place as part of the intergovernmental consultations, organised regularly since 2003. Both countries only use this mechanism with their strategic partners. The consultations were held with participation of ministries of foreign affairs, national defence, infrastructure, social policy as well as economic development and technology. The consultations concluded with the adoption of a joint declaration by the prime ministers. 

 

Łukasz Jasina
MFA Press Spokesperson

 

Photo: Bartosz Peterman / MFA