Pedro Sánchez meets the Grand Duke of Luxembourg and they reaffirm their commitment to the ecological transition and space innovation

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, receives the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, William V, upon his arrival at the Moncloa Palace (Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, has held a meeting with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, William V, who is visiting Spain for the first time after his accession to the throne last October.

President Sánchez highlighted the good bilateral relations, especially in the area of energy interconnections. In this regard, he acknowledged the commitment of the two countries to energy transition and decarbonisation, regarding which Spain is developing effective policies to reduce energy prices and their volatility, while at the same time developing a competitive advantage in new sectors.

At the meeting, they also discussed scientific cooperation and a particularly novel element, bilateral cooperation in satellite matters, which President Sánchez recognises as a fundamental issue for consolidating the European space sector.

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, together with the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, William V | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

Pedro Sánchez and Guillermo V also exchanged positions on issues relating to the improvement of European competitiveness, the internal market and the strengthening of financial autonomy, which the Government of Spain is committed to in order to enable the financing of European public goods.

In addition to reviewing the main European issues, they discussed the international situation, especially with regard to the situations in the Middle East and in Ukraine, both agreeing on the importance of respect for international law.

Memoranda of Understanding

Three Memoranda of Understanding were signed to strengthen cooperation in a number of areas.

In the energy field, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed to cooperate on the generation, transport and use of renewable hydrogen and electricity. The aim is to foster energy cooperation with a focus on renewables, both electricity and hydrogen. Notably, there are plans to explore and exchange information to define project areas and to establish contact points and joint technical meetings.

The third Vice-President and Minister for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen, at the signing ceremony of agreements with Luxembourg | Pool Moncloa/Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed to strengthen cooperation for peaceful purposes, which provides for enhanced cooperation and identifies the Luxembourg Space Agency (LSA) and the Spanish Space Agency (ESA) as entities.

Bilateral relations have also been strengthened through the signing of a Memorandum on political consultations, establishing a commitment by both parties to maintain political contacts at different levels and on a regular basis. It is of a general nature and covers a variety of bilateral as well as multilateral areas. As usual, it is envisaged to hold these consultations on a rotating basis in Spain and Luxembourg, alternately.

Non official translation