Pedro Sánchez signs an agreement on tourism with the president of Paraguay and promotes trade relations

During their meeting in Moncloa they considered the signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement a priority for the Spanish presidency of the EU

MADRID, 3 Nov. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, met today in La Moncloa with the President of Paraguay, Mario Abdo, as part of his official visit to our country. The two countries have signed a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism and the promotion of trade relations between Spain and Paraguay. In addition, and with a view to the Spanish presidency of the EU, they have considered the signing of the EU-Mercosur agreement a priority.

According to Moncloa, both leaders have verified their great harmony in the multilateral sphere, in addition to highlighting the rich and diverse bilateral relations between Spain and Paraguay, based on "intense historical, cultural and cooperation ties."

"We appreciate Paraguay's firm stance in rejecting Russia's attack against Ukraine and in defending the territorial integrity of States," Sánchez stressed.

The meeting has allowed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on tourism and the promotion of commercial relations between Spain and Paraguay, for a closer commitment of Spanish companies with the development and prosperity of the South American country, especially in sectors where Spanish companies are global leaders, such as in road infrastructure, sanitation, water or renewable energies.

Spanish exports to Paraguay have been increasing in terms of volume, passing in recent years from 27.6 million euros in 2009, to 118.98 million euros in 2021, with an increase of 38.8 percent compared to of the export of 2020 and 32 percent in the accumulated until July 2022. Likewise, Spain has become the first foreign investor in Paraguay.

From the perspective of the future Spanish Presidency of the EU, in the second half of 2023, Presidents Sánchez and Abdo have considered the signing and conclusion of the EU-Mercosur Agreement and the EU-CELAC summit as priorities.

"My objective during the Spanish Presidency of the EU will be to reaffirm relations between the European Union and Latin America. We want to facilitate a reunion between the two regions, deepening the Bi-regional Strategic Association", underlined the head of the Spanish Executive.

The meeting between the two presidents has also made it possible to highlight the cooperation between Spain and Paraguay in the fight against human trafficking, health and development cooperation, as was made clear during the last visit of Her Majesty Queen Leticia to Paraguay, in November 2021.

"I share the concern about the challenge of eradicating human trafficking mafias, a task for which transnational cooperation with neighboring countries is essential, but also with those of destination, such as the United States and the European Union," he stressed. Peter Sanchez.

In the context of the fight against COVID-19, Spain has provided just over 1 million vaccines to Paraguay, as well as medical supplies worth 44,000 euros.