While French President Emmanuel Macron was in Madrid for an official visit, he undermined Spain-France relations with the opposing vote he cast in the Senate, where the Spanish right is in majority. The Friendship Agreement signed between Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and French President Macron in Barcelona in 2023 had a rather symbolic importance.
However, the PP opposed the article regarding the participation of a minister from each country as a guest in the Council of Ministers meeting of the other country, if requested, thus ensuring the rejection of the agreement. PP, who brought the article in question to the Constitutional Court, said, "There is nothing contrary in the articles of the agreement." He also received a rejection response from this higher judicial body that made its decision.
In addition, the governments of Spain and France, to clarify this article, said: "A French minister will not come to Spain and attend the Council of Ministers meeting where secret issues are discussed. He may attend a meeting to be held parallel to the Council of Ministers." They made a statement.
'THEY LACK THE UNDERSTANDING OF COOPERATION'
Meanwhile, Minister of Foreign Affairs Jose Manuel Albares, who made a statement on his social media account after the vote in the Senate, said, "The People's Party (PP) is once again undermining the historical Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation signed with France, to the detriment of the Spanish people. They lack the sense of national responsibility, the understanding of European friendship and cooperation. Moreover, they do not care about the interests of Spain at all." he said.
The Spanish right's aim is to "obstruct relations with France, Spain's neighbor, friend and partner in Europe, and to weaken Europe." Claiming his desire, Albares noted that "they will continue to work to ensure the ratification of the agreement for the benefit of both the Spaniards, economic relations and European integration."
Spain's left-wing press organs also argued that a similar agreement was signed with Italy in 2021 and was in force, and that there could be no justification for rejecting this agreement with France, saying, "It is a shameful attitude in European solidarity. It is a scandalous initiative and may cause a diplomatic crisis." he commented.
SANCHEZ AND MACRON MEET
On the other hand, Macron met with Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez on the second and last day of his official visit to Madrid.
"I can only apologize for the negative vote of the Treaty of Friendship with France in the Senate," Sanchez told Macron during the joint press conference. he said.
The French President also stated that he was "confident that an agreement will be reached."
Macron also said, "If we are not united as Europe, we have no chance of success," and called on Europe to "defend against unfair competition from China."
Advocating "a European single market dominated by domestic goods and energy production, including the free movement of Europe's energy resources," Macron emphasized Europe's need to innovate and reindustrialize to strengthen strategic autonomy.
