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Spain

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Last reviewed : 12 September 2008

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INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

Spain's relations with the UK

Relations with the UK are strong and deep. The two countries work closely together on many key parts of the European agenda. Both have driven the 'Lisbon' economic reform agenda since it began.

There are regular bilateral employment seminars involving ministers, senior officials, union leaders, academics and others from the non-governmental sector. There is close co-operation on Justice and Home Affairs: we work closely together on improving Europe's response to the challenge of immigration; and have agreed on fast-track extradition procedures between our two countries. There is also extensive and valuable co-operation on health (including the recruitment of hundreds of highly-qualified Spanish medical staff now working in the UK), defence, climate change, international development, counter-terrorism and education. These areas of co-operation are reflected in regular bilateral conferences and seminars including the annual Tertulias Conference which brings together influential decision-makers and opinion-formers from the fields of politics, academia and business.

Parliamentary Links

The British-Spanish All Party Parliamentary Group meets regularly with their Spanish opposite numbers. Meetings alternate between the UK and Spain. The Chair of the British Group is Lord Brennan.

Cultural Relations with the UK

The British Council connects people with learning opportunities and creative ideas from the UK to build lasting relationships around the world.

The British Council office in Spain is the organisation's largest in the world, excluding the aid-driven India programme.

British Council Spain

Tourism

Spain is the most popular destination for British holiday makers.  Around 17 million Britons visit Spain every year. Around 1 million Britons now live permanently in Spain.

Immigration

Spain has seen a tenfold increase in immigration in the past 10 years.  Approximately 10% of the Spanish population are foreign nationals.  Top foreign nationalities in Spain as of 31 March 2008 are Moroccan (675k), Romanian (664k), Ecuadorian, (413k), Colombian (264k) and British (206k).

Terrorism

ETA broke its cease-fire officially on 5 June 2007, although the Barajas Terminal 4 bomb which killed 2 people on 30 December 2006 had de-facto ended it anyway.

On 11 March 2004 a co-ordinated terrorist attack killed 191 people and wounded 1,755. A series of bombs detonated on commuter trains with routes in to Madrid. On 31 October 2007 21 people were convicted of involvement in the attack, which was wholly attributed to Al-Queda inspired terrorism.

RECENT VISITS

Inward:

• Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Minister of Foreign Affairs, to London July 2008
• Cristina Barrios, MFA Special Ambassador for Climate Change to London January 2008
• Joan Clos, Spanish Industry Minister to UK November 2007
• Antonio González González, Minister of State for Labour and Social Affairs to UK November 2007
• Carlos Ocaña, Minister for Taxation to London November 2007
• Elena Espinosa, Secretary of State for Agriculture to London March 2005
• Bernadino Leon, Minister of State for Foreign Affairs to UK  January 2005
.
Outward:

• Minister for Europe, Jim Murphy MP to Madrid and Barcelona April 2008
• Minister for Europe Jim Murphy MP to Madrid to attend the OSCE Ministerial November 2007
• Hazel Blears to Valencia 0ctober 2007
• David Willetts MP to Madrid in September 2007
• Foreign Secretary David Miliband to Madrid 6-7 September 2007
• Former Prime Minister Tony Blair to Madrid Middle East Quartet Representative July 2007
• Ian Pearson MP, Former Minister of State for Climate Change and Environment (DEFRA) invited to Barcelona to speak at EXPO CO2 in April 2007
• Former Prime Minister Tony Blair to Madrid for talks with Zapatero October 2006
• Lord Mayor to Madrid to meet with Madrid Mayor in October 2006
• Geoff Hoon, Former Minister of State for Europe June 2006
• Margaret Beckett, Former Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs to Madrid on a pre-Presidency tour of capitals in June 2005
• HRH Prince of Wales to attend marriage of Prince Felipe and Doña Letizia 22 May 2004
• Home Secretary David Blunkett to Madrid April 2004
• Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for march in protest at 11 M Madrid bomb attack 12 March 2004
• Minister for Europe, Denis McShane for march in protest at 11 M Madrid bomb attack 12 March 2004

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