Prime Minister's Office of Spain

02/02/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 02/03/2026 05:31

Pedro Sánchez reaffirms Spain's commitment to Lebanon's stability and highlights the strength of bilateral relations

Pedro Sánchez reaffirms Spain's commitment to Lebanon's stability and highlights the strength of bilateral relations

President's News - 2026.2.2

The President of the Government of Spain received Lebanese President Joseph Aoun at the Moncloa Palace and reaffirmed Spain's commitment to continue supporting the country's stability once the UNIFIL mission, in which Spain has participated since 2006, comes to an end.

Moncloa Palace, Madrid

The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, greets the President of Lebanon, Joseph Aoun (Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa)

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The President of the Government of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, met with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun to discuss strengthening bilateral relations, the regional context, and cooperation agreements between the two countries.

President Sánchez reaffirmed Spain's commitment to continue supporting the country's stability once the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon) mission ends. Spain has participated in UNIFIL since 2006, with troops stationed at the Libre Hidalgo base. He also announced that Spain will be represented at the ministerial level at the conference to be held in Paris in March, which will focus on supporting the training of the Lebanese Armed Forces.

In the area of development and cultural cooperation, Pedro Sánchez highlighted the strong relationship with the Mediterranean country, which was declared a priority for Spanish Cooperation within the 2024-2027 Cooperation Master Plan. In January 2024, the Government announced it would quadruple the Spanish Agency for International Development Cooperation's (AECID) aid to Lebanon-to €30 million-over the next three years. Furthermore, Lebanon has an Instituto Cervantes in Beirut, two Aulas Cervantes, and two university lectureships.

Agreements to deepen cooperation between the two countries

Three Memoranda of Understanding were signed during the visit.

The first Memorandum of Understanding, concerning Diplomatic Schools, establishes a cooperative relationship in the training and development of diplomatic and consular personnel, specialists in foreign policy and international relations, international law and international economic relations, as well as in any other related matters. In the area of agriculture, the Memorandum-valid for three years and renewable-focuses on developing cooperation in agricultural policies, animal and plant health, scientific and laboratory cooperation, and marketing systems.

The Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, at the signing ceremony of agreements between the Government of Spain and Lebanon| Pool Moncloa / Borja Puig de la Bellacasa

The Memorandum also includes assistance for harmonisation with international and EU-recognised standards and establishes the promotion of cooperation between the competent authorities, research centres, and laboratories of both countries, as well as capacity building through training activities, workshops, study visits, and expert exchanges. It also addresses the digital transformation of the agri-food sector and rural areas, the development of irrigation systems to promote the efficient use of water and energy in production systems, food safety, and transparency in supply chains. It includes the promotion of agri-food cooperatives and associations as a way to strengthen producer organisation, in addition to the design and management of an agricultural insurance system.

In the area of culture, another Memorandum of Understanding has been signed for cooperation in library matters between the National Library of Spain and the National Library of Lebanon over the next four years. The aim is the exchange of bibliographies and publications, and the promotion of cooperation in research on heritage, archives, and bibliography, as well as knowledge and best practices in document conservation. It also includes a commitment to mutual consultation on digitisation procedures, collection preservation, and legal deposit.

Non official translation

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