Between 2023 and 2024, Spain, Hungary and Belgium will hold the six-monthly rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union. For a six-month period, the incumbent State presides over meetings at all levels of the Council, helping to ensure continuity of the EU's work in that institution.
"It is very important to maintain close coordination at all levels, both for the preparation of the trio's programme and during it, in order to ensure its success," he said, adding that Spain is beginning to define its priorities and wants the social agenda to be "very present" along with issues such as the southern neighbourhood and relations with Latin America.
The two ministers discussed the forthcoming conference on the Future of Europe, where Albares stressed the importance of addressing issues such as the development of European citizenship, enhancing the participation of cities in the EU, paying more attention to the inequalities faced by some territories - due to their insularity or depopulation - as well as Sport in the construction of Europe.
During the meeting, Albares underlined Spain's interest in intensifying bilateral economic relations, especially in the field of infrastructure - particularly railways -, engineering and renewable energies, where Spain has leading and competitive companies.
The two also discussed migration issues, EU-UK relations, EU enlargement, Latin America and the situation in Afghanistan.
Non official translation
The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares