The Tertulias were launched in 1988, following the visit of Queen Elizabeth II to Spain that same year. Since then, they have been held annually and alternately in each country, with the sole exception of 2020 due to the pandemic. Last year they took place in Bilbao.
The objective of the Tertulias is to contribute to a better understanding between civil societies. The respective Ministries of Foreign Affairs offer the Tertulias an institutional framework and partially co-finance them. The President on the British side is Lord Charles Falconer, and on the Spanish side, David Vegara.
This year the Gatherings were held under the title "The world after COVID and the war in Ukraine". About 40 people from each country participated, discussing the following topics: the economy after the end of a low inflation; Defence and geopolitics after Ukraine; populism and challenges for liberal democracy; soft power, hard power and geopolitics; start-ups, the new economy; Are climate goals realistic?
The Spanish and British Foreign Ministers participated in the gatherings exchanging points of view on the subject "UK-Spain, bilateral relations after Brexit and Ukraine, challenges and strengths". Earlier, Mr. Albares and Mr. Cleverly held a bilateral meeting.