- Overview of Philippines-Spain Relations
- State Visit of President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo
- Tribuna España-Filipinas
- Rizal’s Madrid

BRIEF OVERVIEW OF PHILIPPINES-SPAIN RELATIONS

The Philippines and Spain share a profound and special relationship based on cultural and historical ties, friendship and cooperation. Because of this, Spain is deemed to be the Philippine’s the gateway to Europe and its principal link with Latin America. Spain is not only the Philippines’ historical Madre Patria but at present its close friend and reliable partner.

Ties between the Philippines and Spain have been very cordial since the establishment of formal diplomatic relations on 27 September 1947. These relations have been reinforced through the signing of a new comprehensive Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation in June 2000 by former President Joseph Ejercito Estrada and former Prime Minister Jose Maria Aznar. This agreement particularly provided a renewed sense of Philippines-Spain relations in the new millennium marked by developments in information and communications technology, increasing environmental and humanitarian concerns and the move towards globalization.

The passage of Republic Act 9187 on 05 February 2003 further intensified bilateral links. Authored by Senator Edgardo Angara, the Act declares 30 June of each year as Philippine-Spanish Friendship day. It symbolizes the Filipino people’s gratitude and appreciation for Spain’s inestimable legacy of faith, culture and values to our nation, including the beginnings of the country’s political solidarity as one people despite the geographic divisions and linguistic differences.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero at the Palacio de la Moncloa in Madrid on 03 December 2007.

The exchange of high level visits, notably the Official Visit of former President Ramos to Spain in September 1994 and the State Visit of former Prime Minister Aznar to the Philippines on July 2000, opened new vistas for concrete mutual cooperation in the political and security arena, economic and trade spheres, cultural promotion, and social development.

The visit of President Gloria Macagal Arroyo to Spain on 29-30 June 2006 opened a new chapter on Philippines-Spain relations. The date of the visit was perfectly timed to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the Fil-Hispano Friendship Day (Día de Amistad Hispano-Filipina) which fell on 30 June. The visit also coincided with the Philippines-Spain Cultural Year 2006 in celebration of which an exposition entitled “Filipiniana” then being exhibited in the Conde Duque Cultural Center in Madrid from 11 May and ran until 24 September 2006.

The theme of the President’s visit centers on life, solidarity and prosperity (vida, solidaridad y prosperidad). Life because the Philippines has already abolished the death penalty, solidarity because the Philippines and Spain share a common history and culture and prosperity because the two countries can work together toward a brighter economic future through the intensification of trade and investments.

During the meeting between President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo and President José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero, President Arroyo personally conveyed her commitment to promote stronger ties between the two countries. She expressed the Philippine government’s appreciation for Spain’s development cooperation projects in the Philippines and the designation of the Philippines as a priority country for Spain in this area. She also proposed a strategic partnership between Spain’s initiative in the “Alianza de Civilizaciones” and the Philippines’ initiative in the context of the Inter-Faith Dialogue.

In the Palacio de la Moncloa, President Arroyo and President Zapatero exchanged historical icons of the Battle of Baler (replicas of the bell of Baler and old Spanish uniforms and flag). The act symbolizes reconciliation, setting aside of historical animosities and forging of a new kind of partnership.

President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo made a State Visit to Spain in December 2007. Said visit further reinforced the strong and dynamic ties between the Philippines and Spain.