The newly appointed head of the FCDO visited Madrid to meet with his Spanish counterpart. Both highlighted the importance of the recently signed Treaty on Gibraltar, which "represents a historic opportunity to go further and deepen bilateral relations." In this regard, Albares and Miliband acknowledged the status of the United Kingdom and Spain as strategic allies, emphasizing the significant number of citizens from one country residing in or visiting the other, as well as the economic dimension of their ties.
The Ministers signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on gender equality, aiming to eradicate violence against women and girls, move forward with the Women, Peace and Security Agenda, and increase women's participation in decision-making processes, particularly within diplomacy.
The climate emergency was another topic on the agenda. Albares and Miliband signed a joint statement highlighting the absolute necessity of integrating this issue into foreign policy. The British Foreign Secretarie offered the UK's assistance to Spain in combating active wildfires in the country.
José Manuel Albares and Ed Miliband also reviewed other current affairs, such as EU-UK relations, support for Ukraine, and the need to find a solution to the conflict in the Strait of Hormuz.
To read the joint statement from this meeting, click here
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