Sánchez confirms with Kallas the excellent relations between Spain and Estonia, two countries committed to the European project

During their meeting, both leaders confirmed that Spain and Estonia could extend their collaboration on different issues related to the Spanish Recovery Plan. Estonia is the first destination on this three-day trip to the Baltic States, and will be followed by Latvia and Lithuania.

The President of the Government said: "Spain and Estonia share many common positions and interests, more than perhaps might be imagined given our distant geographical location at the two extremes of Europe. We are two countries in solidarity and committed to a common project, the European Union, with a lot of potential to explore.

Spain and Estonia have positive bilateral relations, mainly due to their membership of the EU and NATO. In terms of trade relations, although smooth, there is still room for improvement. In 2020, our country exported 168 million euros to Estonia, and imported a total of 98 million euros.

A green and digital Spain

Both countries share a common understanding on the urgency of boosting the recovery and the green and digital transitions. In this sense, Sánchez has shown our country's interest in deepening collaboration on these issues, especially in digital transformation, in which Estonia is a world leader. "Digital tools are playing a key role in restoring full mobility and a gradual return to normality and recovery, not only in the EU, but globally," said Sánchez.

The Spanish Recovery and Resilience Plan, which dedicates 28% of the funds to digitalisation, includes among its objectives the digitalisation of more than one million SMEs, the training of more than 2.6 million people in digital skills, the extension of broadband to 100% of the population, and the effective deployment of 5G.

On climate change and renewable energies, as the President recalled, Spain was one of the driving forces behind a "historic" agreement, approved by the European Council, to increase the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions to 55% by 2030. "We need to make sure that no one is left behind in our quest for a green Europe. This is the key. The Just Transition Facility is the perfect tool to help the communities that need it most," the President stressed.

Spain and Estonia, two countries whose territories are external borders of the EU, have a shared interest in strengthening security against threats that could destabilise the bright future ahead. For this reason, both have addressed -as President Sánchez has pointed out- "Europe's obligation to provide a fair and balanced solution to the challenge posed by migration."

Both leaders addressed relations with Russia, an issue that was discussed at the last European Council, where leaders considered the five guiding principles to be valid, and agreed on a number of areas of shared interest for Member States to engage with Russia.

On defence issues, Sánchez stressed Spain's firm commitment to Estonia's security, which is evidenced by our participation in NATO operations and in the NATO Centre of Excellence for Cooperative Cyber Defence.

"This trip is not the culmination of a bilateral relationship, but the realisation that we have a long road ahead of us that both countries wish to travel together. We are fully convinced that the strength of our union, despite the geographical distance, is more necessary today than ever," concluded the President.

100 years of diplomatic relations

The first day concluded with a visit by Sánchez and Kallas to the Arvo Pärt Centre, dedicated to the Estonian musician, one of the most performed contemporary classical composers in the world. The art centre building, which opens in 2020, was designed by Spanish architecture firm Nieto Sobejano.

Spain and Estonia are celebrating this year the centenary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, a commemoration that has deepened the exchange between Spanish and Estonian institutions.

Sánchez will meet tomorrow in Estonia with the country's president, Kersti Kaljulaid, with whom he will visit the exhibition 'Zuloaga: Alma de España', by the Guipuzcoan painter Ignacio Zuloaga, at the Mikkel Museum, which has been organised on the occasion of the centenary. Before travelling to Latvia, the second destination on his Baltic tour, the President will conclude his visit to Estonia with a meeting with the Speaker of the Parliament, Juri Ratas.

Non official translation