The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation today met with career consuls resident in Barcelona at the Government Delegation in Catalonia.
In the course of the meeting, the Minister reiterated the Spanish Government's will to continue contributing, as it has done to date, to facilitating improved performance of consular functions in accordance with the Vienna Convention of 1963. In this respect, he underlined the important role of the Government Delegation in Catalonia.
The Minister referred to the responsibility of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation as the primary interlocutor with accredited diplomatic and consular agents in the country. He also highlighted the advantages of consulates maintaining fluid relationships with local authorities with regard to consular affairs that affect competencies attributed to autonomous and municipal institutions.
The Minster then attended a lunch hosted by the consular representatives residing in Barcelona - both career and honorary - where he had the opportunity to discuss some practical aspects of the above matters in detail within the framework of a frank and friendly dialogue.
-NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION-