Spain and El Salvador strengthen bilateral relations following first meeting of bilateral consultations mechanism

This visit, the first by Minister Hill outside of the American continent in more than a year and a half, due to the mobility restrictions established as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, reflects the excellent state of bilateral relations and the mutual interest in steeping them up. The talks between the ministers were developed in a very cordial manner which allowed them to exchange perspectives on the many issues of common interest on the bilateral, regional and global agenda.

They both agreed on the importance of the strong historical, political, commercial, human, cultural and cooperation ties that unite the two countries, and reaffirmed their interest in continuing to work to promote development and dialogue between the two governments to the benefit of their people.

The ministers discussed the measures adopted by their countries to tackle the pandemic caused by Covid-19 and the progress made in their respective vaccination programmes. They underlined the importance of fair access to vaccines and medical supplies based on suitable international cooperation, and Spain reiterated its supportive commitment to the donation of vaccines to Latin America, as expressed by the President of the Government at the recent Ibero-American summit held in Andorra la Vella.

The two ministers stressed the importance of trade and investment relations between the two countries and the role they can play in the economic recovery, particularly against the backdrop of the pandemic. By way of example, such strategic projects as the Pacific Train, the Pacific Airport and the ferry route between El Salvador and Costa Rica foster connectivity in the region, while offering opportunities to Spanish companies to contribute to the economic development of the country.

El Salvador and Spain are key partners in the promotion of sustainable development. Spain is the second ranked country in terms of offering the most cooperation to El Salvador, and El Salvador is the third ranked country in terms of receiving cooperation from Spain. The two ministers agreed to push through the signing of a new Country Association Framework for the period 2021-2024 that allows the principles of the Sustainable Development Goals to be incorporated under the 2030 Agenda and which is aligned with the strategic priorities of El Salvador with a horizon of sustainable recovery from the Covid-19 crisis.

The two ministers discussed the regional agenda, particularly the recent Ibero-American summit in Andorra, together with migratory management and the situation of displaced people, while Spain takes over the Presidency of the Platform to Support the Comprehensive Regional Framework for Protection and Solutions (Spanish acronym: MIRPS) for forced displacement in Central America and Mexico, presided over by El Salvador in 2020.

The celebration of the bicentenary of the independence of El Salvador this year is an excellent opportunity to underline the close ties that unite the two countries and offers a window of opportunity to renew the commitments of friendship and mutual collaboration. In turn, this event coincides with the 35th anniversary of the Esquipulas Peace Agreement and the 30th anniversary of the establishment of the Central American Integration System (Spanish acronym: SICA), that Spain decisively supports, which has its Secretariat-General headquartered in San Salvador.

During her visit, the Minister for Foreign Affairs of El Salvador, Alexandra Hill, will inaugurate the Consulate General In Seville, a new consular office to serve the growing community of people from El Salvador in southern Spain, which will contribute to the prosperity of the country, and will hold meetings with the Minister for Inclusion, Social Affairs and Migration, José Luis Escrivá, the Ibero-American Secretary-General, Rebeca Grynspan, and the Mayor of Barcelona, Ada Colau.

Non official translation