Meeting between Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez
Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sánchez, at Victoria Palace on Saturday to discuss the agreement between Romania and the Kingdom of Spain regarding dual citizenship.
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The bilateral agreement between Romania and the Kingdom of Spain on dual citizenship, currently in an advanced stage of consultation between the two governments, was the main topic of discussion during the meeting between Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at Victoria Palace today, as communicated by the Government in a press release on Saturday.
“The bilateral agreement will confirm the special ties built over time between our nations. It bears witness to our communities, mixed Romanian-Spanish families, common cultural and linguistic heritage, as well as the European vocation we share, at a time when the European Union must demonstrate unity. The Romanian community is a link and a catalyst for the strategic bilateral relationship between Romania and Spain. I thank my counterpart and friend Pedro Sánchez for the support provided to Romanians in integrating into Spanish society, protecting their rights, and preserving their national values,” stated Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, as quoted in the press release.
The Prime Minister mentioned that the Romanian side aims to host the next joint meeting of the Governments of Romania and Spain in Bucharest, considering that, in addition to finalizing the Agreement on dual citizenship, there are arguments for strengthening the bilateral framework in the fields of education.
Development of Romanian-Spanish Bilingual Sections in Romanian High Schools
When it comes to the establishment and functioning of Romanian-Spanish bilingual sections and the organization of the Romanian-Spanish bilingual baccalaureate exam in high schools in Romania – internal affairs, with a focus on combating human trafficking, as well as defense, the government emphasizes the importance of these initiatives.
Enhancing Economic Cooperation
According to the government, economic cooperation was another important topic on the agenda of the meeting between the two prime ministers. Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu welcomed the record bilateral trade exchanges recorded in 2023, amounting to over 6.4 billion EURO.
“I particularly appreciate the quality of Spanish investments present in the Romanian market and their contribution to the development of the local economy. We have nearly 7,000 companies with Spanish capital participation in our country, but we expect other investors to join in sectors such as automotive components, IT&C, energy, infrastructure, and agriculture,” pointed out Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu.
European Collaboration and Security
Regarding collaboration at the European level, the Prime Minister of Romania appreciated that the generation of a pro-European political majority within the EU after the recent elections will allow for the maintenance of an ambitious pro-European agenda based on common values and citizens’ interests.
Furthermore, Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu noted the good Romanian-Spanish cooperation in the field of security and defense as key allies on the Eastern and Southern Flanks.
Conclusion
President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, is visiting Romania at the invitation of Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu. According to the Spanish Permanent Immigration Observatory, as of January 1, 2024, there were 1.12 million Romanian residents in Spain, representing 40% of the EU citizens.
Foreign Residents in Spain
Spain is a popular destination for foreigners looking to live and work abroad. According to recent statistics, there are approximately 5.7 million foreign residents in Spain, making up about 12% of the total population. Among these, 17% are from other countries, adding to the cultural diversity of the country.
