Sánchez and Macron sign a Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation that strengthens ties between Spain and France

National Art Museum of Catalonia, Barcelona

This treaty, the first of its kind signed between the two countries, thereby becomes an unprecedented roadmap for coordination between France and Spain within the EU, bringing efficiency and agility to the development of joint projects and institutionalising both the annual holding of bilateral summits and reciprocal participation in councils of ministers. The signing of this agreement will also speed up consultations between the two countries at all levels and promote the creation of bilateral coordination forums, such as the Franco-Spanish Defence and Security Council.

During the summit, President Sánchez and President Macron discussed a variety of issues. Pedro Sánchez defined the bilateral relationship with France as a "broad and deep neighbourhood" link, assuring that both leaders have agreed on the importance of defining a cross-border strategy that benefits the well-being of the populations on both sides of the border, and of strengthening energy interconnections and the transport network between the two countries.

Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

Likewise, the President of the Government explained that he and President Macron had addressed issues on the European agenda such as progress in economic governance, the migration and asylum pact and the reform of the CAP, areas in which Spain will delve deeper within the framework of the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU. During the summit, Sánchez and Macron discussed current developments in the war in Ukraine, sharing their condemnation of Russian attacks on civilians. "We have continued to explore ways in which we can support Ukrainians in the fight for their freedom and territorial integrity", without neglecting "other common challenges to our security, especially from the southern flank", he added.

The signing of this Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, the president reiterated, offers both countries a new framework for deepening collaboration "as neighbours, European partners and allied countries" at a time of complexity in the international context. "Russia's aggression against Ukraine and its consequences in Europe and the rest of the world demand more than ever a common response," said Sánchez. He also stressed that this treaty is, in turn, a declaration of intent between the two countries, since it makes clear the determination of Spain and France to implement "increasingly intense economic, scientific, digital, industrial and cultural cooperation".

Last, Pedro Sánchez reiterated the joint work for a "more sovereign, more integrated and more resilient" Europe, stressing that all these objectives will be a priority during the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the EU.

"Europe is, above all, a community of values", said the President of the Government, "values such as those that inspire this historic Treaty of Friendship we are signing today, which is testimony to the success of a Summit that unites our two countries even more in this Barcelona that is open to a future full of opportunities and hope".

Bilateral

Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In the year in which France and Spain are jointly celebrating the 50th anniversary of the death of Pablo Picasso, the Ministers for Culture of the two countries, Miquel Iceta and Rima Abdul Malak, reaffirmed their desire to continue strengthening their ties, ratifying a Declaration of Intent within the framework of this summit that will enable the digitisation of important documentary collections on Spanish Republican exiles in France.

In the field of education, Spain is committed to the promotion and modernisation of vocational training as a priority of education policy and, in this regard, the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France includes the creation of Franco-Spanish training campuses that will enable the horizons of both vocational training systems to be broadened. The agreement will thereby promote exchanges between their students and teaching staff and foster the employability of young people from the two countries.

The treaty also seals the relationship between two allies, who share security challenges and who have cooperated particularly closely on defence matters over the past four years. France and Spain have closely twinned security forces. To this effect, the agreement reflects friendship and trust and frames a synchronisation between the two countries and a common commitment to a strong Europe. To this end, France and Spain complement each other in defence capabilities and industry projects as important as the Future Air Combat System and the space sector.

On transport, after meeting with her French counterpart, the Spanish minister, Raquel Sánchez, welcomed France's commitment to promoting cross-border connections between Spain and France on the Atlantic and Mediterranean Corridors, "vital" infrastructures for making the Single Market a reality between two central EU partners, Spain and France.

Likewise, the Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska, conveyed to his counterpart, Gérald Darmanin, our country's priorities in home affairs, with a view to the Spanish Presidency of the Council of the European Union. Cooperation between Spain and France remains at a high level and, in this regard, Minister Marlaska underlined cooperation in the fight against terrorism, radicalisation, organised crime and serious crime, among other matters.

In the area of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the treaty reflects the relevance of the common agricultural and fisheries policies for both countries, because of their fundamental influence on food security in the EU and globally. In this regard, the administrations of the two countries will cooperate to develop sustainable agriculture and fisheries that guarantee the productive fabric necessary to feed consumers.

Non official translation