Luxembourg, Spain Jointly Advocate Solidarity, Respect for Rule of Law

At the invitation of his Spanish counterpart, Luxembourg's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Jean Asselborn, paid a working visit to Madrid on Wednesday 21 October 2020.

Minister Jean Asselborn met with Spain's Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, Arancha Gonzàlez Laya, for a bilateral interview and a working meeting, followed by a press conference.

This working visit was an opportunity for Minister Jean Asselborn and his Spanish counterpart to take stock of bilateral relations between Luxembourg and Spain. In this regard, Luxembourg's Foreign Minister highlighted the quality of bilateral relations, both politically and commercially and culturally. He also stressed that Spain is the number one tourist destination for Luxembourgers.

For her part, Minister Arancha Gonzalèz Laya thanked Luxembourg on behalf of the Spanish government for the support it has provided to Spain in the context of the COVID-19 health crisis.

The ministers then had an in-depth discussion on the main European issues, which confirmed the convergence of views that exists between Spain and Luxembourg on a number of subjects. They reiterated their attachment to solidarity (both in the context of the recovery plan and in that of migration) as well as respect for the rule of law. In the context of the COVID-19 crisis, the two ministers stressed the need for close European coordination on borders and the management of health measures in order to maintain free movement within the European Union.

Finally, Minister Jean Asselborn had an in-depth exchange of views with his Spanish counterpart on several current international issues. In this context, the two ministers discussed recent tensions in the eastern Mediterranean, the EU's southern neighbourhood and the common commitment in the Sahel. They also discussed the latest developments in Venezuela and the Middle East.