Spain and Slovenia sign joint declaration calling for an end to violence in Gaza and the entry of humanitarian aid

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, stroll through the gardens of Moncloa Palace (Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo)

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, held a meeting at the Moncloa Palace with the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, with whom he discussed the excellent relations between the two countries and their great harmony on key issues, such as the catastrophe in Gaza, the war in Ukraine, European security and defence, strategic autonomy, international trade and the financing of the European Union.

Pedro Sánchez stressed that economic ties between Spain and Slovenia are currently very positive and that both governments will continue to work to strengthen them. At the European level, both countries are committed to working together to ensure that Europe has the means to match its ambitions. This includes a Community financial framework "that represents 2% of the GDP of the Member States", in the words of the President of the Government of Spain, and that is committed to resources for a just ecological transition, social Europe, innovation and industrialisation, cohesion, the CAP and open trade.

With regard to the ongoing international conflicts, the two leaders reaffirmed their support for the Ukrainian people and their advocacy of a just and lasting peace based on international law and the UN Charter. On the Middle East, on the one-year anniversary of the recognition of the State of Palestine by Spain and Slovenia, the two countries have signed a Joint Declaration to reaffirm their commitment to the implementation of the two-state solution and the need to act in response to the humanitarian catastrophe and violation of human rights taking place in Gaza.

Spain-Slovenia Joint Declaration

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and the Prime Minister of Slovenia, Robert Golob, greet each other | Pool Moncloa/Fernando Calvo

The joint statement demands that Israel urgently lift the blockade on Gaza and allow unrestricted humanitarian access, to be coordinated by the UN. Both countries reject the aid plan put in place by Israel, which could lead to a new mass displacement of Palestinians. It also expresses the parties' firm rejection of the escalating violence in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, including settler attacks, illegal settlement expansion and forced displacement.

The declaration also calls for an immediate and durable ceasefire and progress towards the implementation of the two-state solution. In this respect, it notes the importance of the Madrid Group meeting held last weekend in the Spanish capital, and encourages taking advantage of the opportunity presented by the high-level conference to be held next month in New York.

Finally, the declaration states that both countries reiterate their call for a review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement on the basis of Article 2, which states that the relationship between the EU and Israel must be based on respect for human rights. Slovenia and Spain also propose new sanctions on violent Israeli settlers and an arms embargo on Israel.

Non official translation