Islamabad, 21 June 2022 (TDI): Ambassador of Spain to Pakistan Manuel Duran Gimenez Rico called on Pakistan’s Air Chief Marshal Zaheer Ahmed Babur Sidhu on Monday.
exceptional progress made by PAF over the years, especially through indigenization.The Air Chief highlighted that both countries enjoy cordial relations and reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral cooperation between the air forces of the two countries. pic.twitter.com/hIggIi91eR
— DGPR (AIR FORCE) (@DGPR_PAF) June 20, 2022
The Spanish Dignitary appreciated the professionalism of the Pakistan Air Force. He commended exceptional progress through the indigenization of the Pakistan Air Force.
The Air Chief highlighted the cordial relations between the two states. He reiterated his resolve to further enhance the existing bilateral cooperation between the air forces of both states.
Both members discussed various issues of professional cooperation and mutual interests.
Ties between Pakistan and Spain
Since 1951, Spain has been an active diplomatic and bilateral partner of Pakistan. Both states enjoy extremely cordial and friendly ties working and supporting each other and strengthening the multilateral system.
Within European Union, Spain is the third largest trade partner of Pakistan. It hosts one of the largest Pakistani Diasporas in Europe.
Historic and cultural ties between the two countries predate the establishment of formal relations.
In 2020, the Spanish Envoy met Defense Minister Pervaiz Khatak and both officials agreed on enhancing their defense cooperation.
Moreover, the Foreign Minister of Spain visited Pakistan in 2021.
Collaboration to address global challenges, extremism, terrorism, illegal immigration, and drug trafficking are important strands of bilateral cooperation with Spain.
In addition, Spain participated in Pakistan’s maritime multinational exercise AMAN-21, with 44 other countries.
In 2021, with the United States’ exit from Afghanistan, Foreign Minister of Spain Jose M. Albares made a statement that Spain is willing to work with Pakistan on efforts toward peace in Afghanistan and for the security of the region.
At the beginning of this year, former Foreign minister Shah Mahmood Qureshi met the Spanish President of the Congress of Deputies Meritxell Batit, and both states decided to activate parliamentary friendship groups to promote cooperation between the two.
Pakistan’s embassy in Spain is in the city of Madrid and a Consulate General is in Barcelona. While Spanish Embassy in Pakistan is in the capital city of Islamabad.
