The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, today received his Lebanese counterpart, Youssef Raggi, with whom he discussed the excellent bilateral relations between the two countries and the expansion of existing cooperation to new areas through agreements signed during President Joseph Aoun's visit to Spain.
This is the first visit by a Lebanese president to our country since 2009. Today's meeting is the fourth between Albares and his Lebanese counterpart, following the meeting during the Paris Conference on Syria in February 2025, the bilateral meeting during the Southern Neighbourhood Ministerial Meeting in Brussels in July and the meeting on the sidelines of the Regional Forum of the Union for the Mediterranean last November. This frequency of meetings in less than a year, since Minister Raggi's appointment in February 2025, is a true reflection of the close and deep bilateral relations between Spain and Lebanon.
In this vein, relations between the Foreign Ministries have also been strengthened following this visit with the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Diplomatic Schools of both countries, which will enable collaboration in the training of diplomatic and consular personnel and foreign policy specialists.
Albares reminded his counterpart that Spain is firmly committed to Lebanon's future and stability, for which Spain has deployed more than 650 troops to UNIFIL (third European contingent) and supports the redeployment of the Lebanese Armed Forces. He also highlighted humanitarian and development support, with Lebanon being a priority country for Spanish Cooperation since 2024.
As on previous occasions, the conflict in the Middle East was the focus of part of the talks. Albares reiterated his congratulations on the completion of the first phase of the disarmament plan, reaffirming that Spain will continue to support the courageous efforts of the Lebanese Government in pursuit of Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity. The minister stressed that Euro-Arab consultation and dialogue are more important than ever in order to move towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace for the entire region.
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—NON OFFICIAL TRANSLATION—