Pedro Sánchez stresses the value of Spain's commitment to Palestine after the first intergovernmental meeting between the two countries

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, welcomes the Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa, upon his arrival at Moncloa Palace (Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, has chaired, together with the Prime Minister of Palestine, Muhammad Mustafa, the first intergovernmental meeting between the two countries following Spain's official recognition of the State of Palestine on 28 May. The Second Vice-President of the Government of Spain and Minister for Work and Social Economy, Yolanda Díaz; the Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares; the Minister for Home Affairs, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; the Minister for Education, Vocational Training and Sport, Pilar Alegría; and the Minister for Youth and Children, Sira Rego, also took part.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, during the First Intergovernmental Meeting Spain-Palestine | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

President Sánchez described the first intergovernmental meeting between the two countries as a "symbol" of Spain's commitment to the present and future of Palestine. This meeting is intended to help project Palestine's statehood internationally and encourage other countries to follow Spain's lead.

Bilateral relations have been strengthened through a Joint Declaration, reaffirming the two countries' partnership for peace, and the signing of four Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) on labour, education, youth and agriculture. The president of the Government of Spain has assured that work will continue to expand the areas of cooperation and closeness between the two peoples in the coming years.

Meeting between the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

In this sense, Spanish aid to Palestine tripled in 2023 and has continued to grow throughout 2024. Following today's meeting, Spain has pledged to support Palestine with at least 75 million euros over the next two years.

Spain is also promoting financial support for the EU as a whole, which requires, as the president of the Government of Spain stressed, full Palestinian commitment to the internal reform agenda. In this respect, Pedro Sánchez stressed that Spain's commitment transcends bilateral relations. Since the beginning of the conflict, the government has worked to find a political solution with the aim of offering a horizon of peace and prosperity in the region.

It reaffirmed the role of the UN in the process, particularly UNRWA, as well as that of the UN Security Council and UN General Assembly resolutions. Spain defends its application, but also the respect for International Humanitarian Law and the principles set out in the United Nations Charter, and demands compliance with the provisional measures dictated by the International Court of Justice.

Signing ceremony of the agreements of the 1st Spain-Palestine Intergovernmental Meeting, chaired by the President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Palestine, Mohammad Mustafa | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

This firm commitment has led Spain to advocate a Euro-Arab dialogue that led to the Madrid Meeting, which approved a Declaration that has served as the basis for the creation of the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the two-state solution as a prior and necessary step towards a Peace Conference with the parties and the international community.

For this reason, the president of the Government of Spain once again reiterated the need for an immediate ceasefire in both Gaza and Lebanon; the entry of humanitarian aid in sufficient quantities; the release of all hostages; respect for International Humanitarian Law; and the urgency of offering a horizon of peace and security in the region through a two-state solution that puts an end to the spiral of violence.

Non official translation