Sánchez and the Prime Minister of New Zealand agree to increase the program for young people to work in both countries

They launch a strategic association for equality and the green economy in their foreign policies

MADRID, 28 Jun. (EUROPA PRESS) -

The President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, received the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, in La Moncloa on Tuesday, in one of the bilateral meetings parallel to the NATO Summit. Both leaders the "significant" expansion of the vacation and work program so that young people can live, work and travel temporarily in both countries. They have also announced the launch of a strategic association to promote equality, diversity and the green and sustainable economy in their respective foreign policies.

In a joint statement issued after the meeting, Sánchez and Ardern announced the official launch of the 'Global Values ​​Association', which aims to reflect the worldview shared by the two countries.

"Both countries support and celebrate diversity and are determined to advance, in their respective foreign policies, the goals of inclusive and more equal societies, a greener and more sustainable economy, and a vibrant and resilient democracy in which pluralism flourishes, and that is reinforced thanks to the technological revolution", the text states.

The meeting with the Prime Minister of New Zealand is part of a round of bilateral meetings parallel to the NATO Summit that is being held this week in Madrid. This same Tuesday, the Chief Executive received the Prime Minister of Australia, Anthony Albanese, with whom he agreed that Spain would send a high-level trade delegation throughout this year.

This afternoon, Sánchez will hold a meeting with the President of the United States, Joe Biden, and then with the Prime Minister of Iceland, Katrín Jakobsdóttir.

According to the text, the association with New Zealand seeks to strengthen democracy, sustainability, gender equality and "the empowerment of women", as well as the Rule of Law and Human Rights, "with special emphasis on the full exercise of the same by members of indigenous peoples and vulnerable groups".

The Prime Minister of New Zealand is visiting Madrid to participate in the Atlantic Alliance Summit as a member country of the group of four NATO partner countries in Asia-Pacific. In said bilateral meeting, both leaders celebrated the decision to elevate relations between Spain and New Zealand to a Strategic Association, a decision that was adopted in June last year.

The two leaders have also taken advantage of the meeting to value the signing, at the end of last year, of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation in the Conservation of Seabirds, and expect the establishment of an implementation plan that will help New Zealand and Spain can work together to reduce the risk that commercial fishing represents for seabird populations.

They also recognized the shared work initiated under the Legal Values ​​Agreement on issues related to gender equality and the judicial approach to gender violence.

Finally, they have announced a "significant" increase in their vacation and work program and a commitment to continue working on the modalities of this program, so that more young people can live, work and travel temporarily within both countries.