French President Discusses European and International Issues with Spanish Prime Minister

Paris, September 30 (KUNA) -- French President Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez discussed key European and international issues today, Wednesday, particularly the situation in Ukraine and the Middle East, during Macron’s state visit to Spain. The Elysee Palace said in a statement that the visit, the first by a French president to Spain since 2009, reflects the depth of relations between the two countries and the broad scope of their cooperation. It added that Spain is a neighboring, friendly, and allied country to France, as well as a major economic and investment partner for French companies and for developing cooperation and innovation, especially in the digital and space sectors. The statement noted that the visit also highlighted the intensity of exchanges between the two countries, particularly through cultural, academic, and scientific cooperation, and the French education network in Spain. Macron spoke with students at Complutense University about the digital challenges of the social media and artificial intelligence era. The statement clarified that on September 29, Macron and his wife met King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain at a formal dinner, and that the French president participated in an economic and investment forum on September 30. For his part, Macron expressed his gratitude to Spain for the warm welcome in a post on his X (formerly Twitter) account, affirming that France and Spain share the ambition to make their friendship a driving force for Europe. He added that the two countries are working together toward “a more sovereign, stronger, and more protected Europe” through cooperation in defense, competitiveness, low-emission energy, the Common Agricultural Policy, protection of democracies and youth, digital regulation, borders, and the next European budget. The French president began his two-day state visit to Spain on Tuesday at the invitation of King Felipe VI, marking the first state visit by a French president to Spain since 2009. (End) M.B. / M.A. H.A.