Visit to Spain
17 February 2010
Media release
I visited Spain on Monday 15 and Tuesday 16 February.
It was my first visit to Spain, and the first by an Australian Foreign Minister since 2002.
The bilateral relationship between Australia and Spain is strong, friendly, cooperative and growing.
My visit was an important step in maintaining the momentum in the relationship following the visit to Australia of Spain by his Majesty King Juan Carlos I and Her Majesty Queen Sofia in June last year.
I called on his Majesty the King on Tuesday 16 February.
I met Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero on Monday 15 February.
We reaffirmed the close and productive relationship Australia has with the EU under the Australia-EU Spain currently holds the Presidency of the European Union.
I also held broad ranging discussions with my counterpart, Foreign Minister Miguel Ángel Moratinos.
Australia and Spain share common views on key global issues including climate change, non- proliferation, counter-terrorism and the global financial crisis.
Australia believes the G20 can become a political driver of stronger global cooperation and governance.
Given the size, strength and relevance of Spain's economy, Australia believes that Spain should continue to have an involvement in and with the G20.
Australia and Spain also cooperate in a wide range of multilateral institutions.
Spain supported Australia’s recent inclusion as a member of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).
It also welcomed Australia as an Asian Partner for Cooperation of the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
Our two countries work together under the auspices of the International Security Assistance Force in Afghanistan.
We are both committed to international stabilisation efforts in Afghanistan.
I met Minister for Defence, Carme Chacón.
We discussed the strong and growing defence relationship between Australia and Spain.
Three major defence capability projects are being undertaken in Spain:
- the $8 billion Air Warfare Destroyer project;
- the $3 billion amphibious ships project; and
- the nearly $1.5 billion Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) project.
I visited Getafe Military Base at Ferrol and meet Australian Defence Force officers working on the MRTT aircraft project.
These major defence material projects have transformed our defence relationship with Spain.
The Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Material Cooperation between Australia and Spain, signed in November 2008, provides a framework to further our growing defence engagement.
I also met Secretary of State for International Cooperation, Soraya Rodríguez Ramos.
We agreed to explore cooperation between Australia and Spain in the delivery of international development assistance in Africa and the Caribbean.
During my visit I also officially opened the new Australian Embassy in Madrid.
Media contacts
- Mr Smith's office: 02 6277 7500
- Departmental Media Liaison: 02 6261 1555