Saudi Arabia and Spain Formalize Strategic Partnership in Madrid

Jakarta – Saudi Arabia and Spain on Wednesday formally entered into a new era of diplomatic cooperation, signing a landmark agreement to establish a Strategic Partnership Council. The deal aims to deepen bilateral relations and solidify a formal framework for long-term coordination between the two kingdoms.

The agreement was reached during high-level talks in Madrid between Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud and his Spanish counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno. According to a joint statement, the discussions focused on expanding a wide-ranging cooperation agenda spanning security, defense, trade, investment, and cultural exchange.

The centerpiece of the visit was the signing of the memorandum to form the Saudi-Spanish Strategic Partnership Council. This body is designed to streamline and strengthen high-level institutional coordination between the two governments across various sectors of mutual interest.

Both ministers emphasized that the relationship between the two nations is rooted in deep-seated “historical ties and friendship.” They expressed mutual satisfaction with the current trajectory of cooperation, which they described as rapidly evolving.

In a move to facilitate smoother diplomatic engagement, the two sides also signed a reciprocal visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.

Regional security dominated the agenda, with both Riyadh and Madrid expressing grave concern over the escalating tensions across the Middle East. The joint statement underscored the urgent need for adherence to international law and the reinforcement of ceasefires in Gaza, Iran, and Lebanon.

The ministers issued a joint call for restraint, urging all parties to prioritize dialogue and diplomatic solutions to safeguard regional and global stability. Furthermore, they highlighted the critical necessity of maintaining security and the freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz.

Spain reaffirmed its solidarity with Saudi Arabia, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) member states, and Jordan in the face of recent regional attacks. The Spanish side also lauded Riyadh’s diplomatic approach, which consistently advocates for de-escalation and regional peace.

In turn, Saudi Arabia praised Spain’s proactive stance in calling for peace in the Middle East and welcomed Madrid’s unwavering support for a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Riyadh also noted its appreciation for Spain’s condemnation of Iranian strikes against Gulf nations and Jordan, as well as its criticism of Israeli military operations in Lebanon.

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