RIYADH: Saudi Arabia and Spain signed an agreement on Wednesday to establish a strategic partnership council, Spain’s Foreign Ministry said.
The council will drive political, economic, energy, cultural, defense and transport cooperation between both countries.
In a meeting, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan and his Spanish counterpart Jose Manuel Albares discused key regional and international issues.
Spain reiterated its solidarity with the Kingdom following unjustified Iranian attacks and highlighted Saudi Arabia’s role in advancing toward an end to the conflict in the Middle East, the ministry said.
Both countries also signed a reciprocal visa exemption agreement for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports.
Spain’s foreign ministry described Saudi-Spanish ties as “increasingly solid and strategic.”
Prince Faisal commended Spain’s position calling for de-escalation in the Middle East, its condemnation of Iranian attacks on Gulf Cooperation Council states and Jordan, and Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
He also praised Spain’s stance on the Palestinian issue and its supportive efforts toward implementing the two-state solution, the Kingdom’s foreign ministry said.
Albares, meanwhile, praised the Kingdom’s consistent calls for de-escalation and for prioritizing diplomatic solutions.
Prince Faisal arrived in Madrid earlier on Wednesday on an official visit to Spain.
