Albares meets with his French counterpart to reaffirm bilateral relations

​The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, met with his French counterpart, France’s Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, Jean-Noël Barrot, with whom he discussed bilateral relations and the European and international agenda. At the meeting, held in the context of the State Visit to Spain by the President of France, Emmanuel Macron, the Ministers signed a joint declaration to tackle disinformation, information manipulation and foreign interference.

Through this declaration of intent, Spain and France are strengthening their cooperation against disinformation, information manipulation and foreign information interference, which are considered threats to electoral processes and to the security and stability of European democracies.

Responsibility of digital platforms

In the declaration, they undertake to promote independent and economically sustainable media, promote reliable and professional information, foster critical thinking, and strengthen digital sovereignty and shared European values.

Spain and France will also promote greater accountability for digital platforms and the protection of minors on social media. Both countries support preventing access by those below a certain age and promoting an effective age-verification system that safeguards privacy and personal data.

Strong and close relationship

At bilateral level, the overall assessment of relations is very positive. Spain and France maintain strong and close relations shaped by history, geographical proximity, the economy, human ties and the European context, underpinned by an extensive network of exchanges and contacts in all areas (cultural, economic, police, judicial, educational, etc.).

Bilateral trade in goods amounts to €94 billion, making France Spain’s largest trading partner worldwide, while investment in both directions exceeds €100 billion. Nearly 3 million students in the French school system choose Spanish as a foreign language, and Spain is also the leading Erasmus destination for French students. More than 330,000 Spaniards are registered with Spain’s 10 Consulates-General in France, and more than 125,000 French nationals live in Spain.

The Ministers also discussed cooperation in the defence industry and rail and energy interconnections, areas in which there is still room for improvement despite recent progress.

European and international agenda

The European agenda also featured prominently in the meeting. France and Spain share the common objective of achieving a strong and sovereign Europe, and there is already significant cooperation and dialogue on the major debates at European level, as well as a shared interest in shaping a European response to global challenges through effective multilateralism.

Albares also raised other European issues of particular interest to Spain, including the full integration of Ceuta and Melilla into Europe, immigration, enlargement and official languages.

Finally, turning to the international agenda, the Ministers discussed Russia’s aggression against Ukraine, the war in the Middle East and the need to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

You can read the full statement at this link:
Declaration of intent on spanish-french cooperation on the protection of the information space​

For images, click here.