Ukraine and Spain signed five bilateral documents on March 18. These include financial cooperation, joint defense production, and modernization of railway transport.
This was reported by the press service of the Office of the President of Ukraine.
It is noted that all agreements were approved in the presence of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
“Today, there are new defense agreements between Ukraine and Spain and our private sector, our companies. There is movement in economic and infrastructure interaction between us, which the Prime Minister said about the railway. These are important decisions. Humanitarian and diplomatic interaction between our countries also continues,” the head of state commented.
Thus, the agreement on technical and financial cooperation between the governments of both states creates a legal basis for the implementation of various programs and projects in Ukraine with financial support from the Spanish side. The document defines the main forms of assistance, including the transfer of new technologies, equipment and consultations.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministries of Defense of Ukraine and Spain on joint production on Spanish territory envisages the joint development and production of complex defense systems to strengthen the production capabilities of both countries. The plans include the exchange of technologies, knowledge and experience, conducting defense research and developing new defense systems.
The Memorandum of Understanding between the Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and the Diplomatic School of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation of Spain will strengthen cooperation in the field of diplomatic education. This opens up opportunities for the exchange of experience, curricula, and scientific research.
The contract between Ukrzaliznytsia and the Spanish engineering company TRIA Ingeniería became the first project within the framework of the program for the restoration and modernization of the infrastructure, for which Spain allocated 200 million euros in November last year. Within the framework of the memorandum, an innovative bogie for freight cars with automatic change of track gauge will be developed. This technology will ensure the rapid delivery of Ukrainian export cargo throughout Europe.
In addition, a grant agreement on non-refundable financing was approved between Ukrzaliznytsia and the Spanish state bank Instituto de Crédito Oficial for the practical implementation of a project to introduce automatic gauge change technology for freight cars.
On March 18, Zelensky arrived in Spain for a visit. There, he visited a defense enterprise and met with Prime Minister Sanchez. Following the talks, the politicians gave a joint press conference.
The day before, the head of state visited London, where, in addition to the head of the British government, Keir Starmer, he met with the monarch of Great Britain, Charles III, and NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Zelensky also delivered a speech to members of the British Parliament.