President Sánchez and Prime Minister Chuque held a meeting during which they discussed bilateral relations; and topics on the European agenda, such as high energy prices, economic governance, appropriate recovery plans and possible Schengen expansion; as well as the impact of the Ukrainian war, La Moncloa reported.

The President of the Government emphasized: “Latin-speaking cultural and linguistic ties between Spain and Romania; friendship of our peoples; or the 141 years of diplomatic relations that unite us, confirmed by the strength of even more intense relations after Romania joined NATO in 2004 and the EU in 2007.” As the president noted, bilateral relations between Spain and Romania are conditioned by the membership of both countries in the European Union and NATO.

Both share a commitment to security on the continent and solidarity with Ukraine. Sánchez and Cuke expressed their concern for Moldova, which, due to its geographical proximity, is particularly suffering from the effects of Putin’s war, and they reaffirmed their support for the country on its European horizons. Las relaciones en materia de defense también son estrechas. In fact, from October this year until March 2023, Spain maintains an aerial surveillance radar and 38 military personnel in the Skitu area. From December 1 to March next year, 8 F-18 fighter jets and 130 military personnel will be deployed in Romania as part of the Black Sea Air Police mission.

Similarly, regarding the food crisis, Sanchez emphasized that the two leaders “celebrated the continuation of the Istanbul Agreement on the export of grain through the Black Sea, which allowed the transit of more than 10 million tons.” These good relations extend to important bonds of friendship between citizens of both countries. In fact, Romanians, numbering approximately 1,100,000 people, are the largest foreign group in Spain.

In this sense, Sánchez emphasized “the great urgency of the decision we took today, to create a working group to study what possibilities there are to obtain, including obtaining Spanish citizenship without having to renounce the Romanian citizenship of origin.” With around 300,000 Romanians visiting our country every year, Spanish is of great interest in Romania, with 16 bilingual sections in primary and secondary schools.

That’s why, as Sanchez emphasized, “every time our countries feel closer and closer relations.” Regarding energy, Sánchez and Chuque shared their concerns about rising energy prices, the urgent need to take measures to regulate the electricity market and gas prices accepted by companies and households. During the meeting, both leaders reaffirmed their commitment to a Europe without internal borders. In addition, the President of the Government ratified before the Romanian Prime Minister Spain’s support for the incorporation of Romania into the Schengen Area.

Economic and commercial relations

Economic relations between the two countries have grown from 200 million euros per year in the 1990s to 4,200 million euros in 2021. In the same year, Spanish exports reached 2,073.37 million euros. Spain ranks 10th in terms of direct investment in Romania (with a stock of 598 million), in sectors such as the automotive industry, construction, energy and retail. Las empresas españolas are important winners of public procurement in Romania, with more than 4,000 million euros between 2007 and 2022.

During his speech, the Chief Executive Officer emphasized that the two leaders also addressed “the need to strengthen the stability and legal security of companies established in Spain and of Spanish companies coming to Romania, the number of which is growing every day.” “We celebrated a summit of intense content. From it, we are even more convinced that we care about everything that exists in our two countries, despite the geographical distance, which is not so, and we think about the human, cultural and emotional ties that unite us. “, – concluded the President of the Government.

Spain and Romania signed a Joint Declaration and signed a Memorandum of Understanding

The President of the Government and the Prime Minister of Romania demonstrated the excellent relations between the two countries by agreeing to a joint declaration in which Spain and Romania undertake to monitor the strengthening of bilateral relations and to strengthen ties in all areas by holding bilateral summits. periodicals.

During the summit, the President of the Government was accompanied by the Second Vice-President and Minister of Labor and Social Economy, Yolanda Diaz. Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation Jose Manuel Albarez; Minister of Defense of Spain Margarita Robles; Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Spain, Luis Planas; to the Minister of Territorial Policy of Spain, Isabel Rodríguez; and Minister of Health Karolina Darias. Ministers of both countries signed a number of memorandums of understanding in the specified areas. The ultimate goal of the Labor Memorandum is the exchange of information and best practices and coordination in European affairs.

En Asuntos Exteriores, the Memorandum claims to support regular political consultations on asuntos como las relaciones políticas, económicas, culturales, scienceas y consulares; politíticas europeas, NATO, foros multilaterales y cooperation al desarrollo. In addition, another agreement on cooperation between the diplomatic schools of both countries was signed. In the internal part, a document was signed on reducing the risk of natural disasters in both countries and facilitating emergency operations.

The Minister of Agriculture signed a Memorandum of Understanding with his counterpart, in which he envisages cooperation in such areas as livestock and plant health, fertilizers and phytosanitary products, efficient use of water and energy in irrigation systems, as well as digital transformation of the agricultural sector. The memorandum on culture is aimed at cultural cooperation, as well as at the promotion of joint projects.

The purpose of the Memorandum of Understanding in Sanidad is to achieve the highest standards of health care and cooperation for the prevention and integrated treatment of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular diseases and cancer; and from infectious diseases, including SARS-COV2 infection.