Spain and Portugal deepen their exceptional relations with a commitment to innovation and science

Viana do Castelo (Portugal)

The great political harmony between the current governments of President Sánchez and Prime Minister Costa is generating very positive dynamics.

Spain and Portugal both currently have governments with a social democratic vision, which are promoting a clear roadmap of public policies based on values of justice, progress and welfare, and which have not hesitated to unite in the current times of global crisis to protect the societies they serve, as indisputable references in the development of the European project in a context of enormous difficulty.

Our bilateral relations are more intense and deeper than ever. Spain continues to be Portugal's main trading partner, and Portugal is, in economic and investment terms, a key partner for Spain, with an ever-increasing importance.

"Today, Spain looks at Portugal not only with affection, but also with admiration and mutuality. I dare say that there has never been such interest in and closeness to Portugal in Spain as there is now. I am deeply proud of all the measures and decisions that the two countries are taking in three areas: Iberian, European and international," Pedro Sánchez stressed.

Family photo of the members of the Spanish and Portuguese Governments participating in the 32nd Spanish-Portuguese Summit | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Iberian innovation and science

Following the decision to give these summits a theme, this 32nd edition was devoted to cooperation in innovation and science. This is reflected in the Joint Declaration adopted by Spain and Portugal, which also states that the two countries not only have deep ties that work to the benefit of both Spanish and Portuguese societies, but that this Iberian harmony can contribute to the responses generated by the EU to the challenges of the current context.

President Pedro Sánchez was accompanied at the Summit by the Vice-Presidents for Employment and Energy Transition; the Minister for Science, Innovation and Universities; the Minister for Foreign Affairs; the Minister for Home Affairs; and the Ministers for Industry, Trade and Tourism; Equality; and Territorial Policy.

All of them have held bilateral working meetings with their Portuguese counterparts, which have resulted in the signing of 11 Memorandums of Understanding (MoU), following the momentum already underway at the Hispano-Portuguese Summit of 2021 held in Trujillo, with the new Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, which has already begun to be deployed in all areas.

In this context, and as part of the firm commitment made by Spain and Portugal to innovation and science during this Viana Summit, President Sánchez and Prime Minister Costa visited the International Iberian Nanotechnology Laboratory in Braga, where they spoke with a group of 24 researchers from Spain, Portugal and other countries. This laboratory is a world benchmark in the field, created jointly by the two countries to promote interdisciplinary research and ensure that nanotechnology benefits society as a whole.

This union of Spain and Portugal favours their attractiveness for investors and the development of sectors such as chips, electric vehicles and hydrogen.

At the end of this meeting, a MoU was signed between several Spanish and Portuguese university rectors for the creation of an Iberian Food Laboratory.

Remaining MoUs signed

As part of the commitment to create synergies between the respective recovery plans, two MoUs have been signed: one for the constitution of an Iberian Energy Storage Research Centre, to be based in Extremadura; and the other to collaborate in the development of an 'Atlantic Constellation' of satellites, in application of what was decided last year in Trujillo.

This is in addition to a further MoU to deploy a joint microelectronics strategy. "We are convinced that progress and investment in science are fundamental for the development and well-being of our peoples, ensuring us a place of relevance in an increasingly technological and integrated world," stressed President Sánchez.

Spain and Portugal are also continuing to work intensively to make the Iberian border - the longest and oldest physical border between two EU countries - a land of opportunities. To this effect, and in compliance with the Common Strategy agreed in 2020, today's Summit has seen signed the implementation of a practical guide for cross-border workers, a common cultural agenda, a MoU on the fight against gender violence, and a tourism strategy to revitalise the border towns.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Portugal, António Costa, in Viana do Castelo, venue for the 32nd Spanish-Portuguese Summit | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Energy

Pedro Sánchez and Antonio Costa also discussed the current European context, and especially energy, which is subject to the consequences of Putin's war, with respect to which both leaders once again emphasised their political, humanitarian and military commitment to Ukraine.

They also underlined their deep concern at the Russian threat to provoke a global food shortage, putting at risk the flow of grain, food and fertilisers to the countries that need them most. In this regard, Spain and Portugal have reiterated their commitment to trying to prevent Putin's actions from causing a poverty and shortages crisis in the Global South.

Sánchez and Costa shared their satisfaction with the good functioning of the Iberian solution as a response to the global escalation of energy prices, "an indisputable achievement of our two countries that today inspires the EU energy debate", said President Sánchez. In Spain alone, it has saved households and businesses €2.9 billion since it was launched.

Spain and Portugal share the need for a reform of the European electricity market and a commitment to an integrated energy market, given the obsolescence of its current architecture, which has proved ineffective in situations arising from the war, such as the one we are now facing.

This is the reason for the agreement of 20 October between Spain, Portugal and France to create a Green Energy Corridor between the Iberian Peninsula and the centre of Europe, which in addition to hydrogen will also be able to transport gas. The agreement includes the development of the gas/hydrogen interconnection between Zamora and Celourico da Beira.

"500 years ago, and from one corner of the continent, Spain and Portugal opened Europe to the world. Today we are working side by side to make our peninsula a global benchmark in the defence of dignity, people's well-being, wealth creation and prosperity in an innovative and sustainable way," concluded President Pedro Sánchez.

Non official translation