President of the Government travels to Republic of Guatemala

Guatemala

As Pro Tempore Presidency of the Central-American Integration System (Spanish acronym: SICA), the President of Guatemala proposed to organise a Spain-SICA Summit to be held on 9 March, with participation from the countries that make up the organisation (Guatemala, Nicaragua, Honduras, El Salvador, Costa Rica, Panama, Belize and the Dominican Republic).

However, this trip also has a clear bilateral component. Relations between the two countries are very fluid, as shown by the three meetings already held to date between the President of the Government and President Pérez Molina, including the noteworthy visit by the President of Guatemala to Madrid in March 2013 and this current one.

One of the most important components of bilateral relations is development cooperation. Spain has now been present in Guatemala for more than 25 years, with a volume of aid in excess of 1.25 billion dollars. The country is and will continue to be a priority country for Spanish cooperation.

To that end, on Sunday 8 March, International Women's Day, the President of the Government will visit the AECID (Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation) Training Centre and Workshop in the city of Antigua, where he will visit the exhibition on Spanish cooperation in Latin America on gender equality issues, one of the priority action sectors. Furthermore, he will have the opportunity to see the work carried out by the association of indigenous women of the Kaqchikel Linguistic Community, at the Guatemala Academy of Mayan Languages.

Cooperation on gender issues forms part of the essence of Spanish cooperation and Guatemala is no exception. Spain has promoted this issue and supported institutions and civil society to combat the terrible figures on gender-based violence. Over the last eight years, Spain has allocated almost 9 million euros to creating a system of specialised justice in Guatemala, resulting in the creation of 11 courts and tribunals specialising in gender-based violence and the training of 9 public prosecutors specialised in violence against women.

There is still a lot to do however, and to that end Spanish aid work will resolutely maintain its commitment to Guatemala in this area over the coming years. In fact, the two key sectors of development cooperation in Guatemala over the next four years are a reduction in violence against women and combating child malnutrition.

Bilateral meeting and Spain-SICA Summit

The following day, 9 March, the two leaders will hold a bilateral meeting at which they will tackle the main aspects of relations between Spain and Guatemala. Since diplomatic relations were re-established in 1985, the ties between the two countries have increased and diversified in all areas.

At the bilateral meeting, the President of the Government will take part in the traditional ceremony of the Changing of the Rose of Peace, which has a special meaning and importance for Guatemala, since it commemorates and seeks to keep alive the spirit of peace of the agreement that brought the war to an end in 1996, which Spain had the opportunity to witness before accompanying Guatemala during the peace process that led to the signing of this agreement.

The second part of his trip will commence with the Spain-SICA Summit, which will focus on three issues of regional interest related to Central American integration.

Firstly, Central-American economic integration, which will also tackle the opportunities for the region offered by the European Union-Central America Association Agreement, since its trade element came into force in 2013.

Secondly, the physical integration and development of infrastructures in Central America, which are essential for making progress on the free movement of goods and people. The Central American interconnection will enable this continent to become a more competitive market, and in this area Spain can offer the experience of Spanish companies of international prestige.

Thirdly, the two leaders will tackle the security situation, which is the principal threat to political stability, economic growth, development and the well-being of the region's citizens.

Finally, trade issues and opportunities stemming from the Central American integration process will be tackled at a Spain-Guatemala Business Meeting due to be held on the same day (9 March) alongside the summit itself. This meeting, which will be attended by Spanish companies and SICA countries, will allow economic and trade ties in the region to be further enhanced. The meeting will be officially closed by the President of the Government of Spain and President Pérez Molina.

Spain is the leading European supplier and third-leading investor for Guatemala. Spanish companies are showing increased interest in the Guatemalan market and have increased their presence in the country in recent years.