The Diplomat
New Zealand and Spain held a round of political consultations in Madrid, coinciding with the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The political consultations were headed by the Secretary of State for Foreign and Global Affairs, Diego Martínez Belío, on the Spanish side; and by the undersecretary for Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Australia of the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade, Taha Macpherson.
The meeting took place a few days after the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and New Zealand came into force on May 1, which, among other things, involves the elimination of 100% of tariffs on Spanish exports to that country and 91% on exports from New Zealand to Spain, which will reach 97% in seven years.
After the political consultations, a reception was held at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the presence of both deputy ministers, as well as the New Zealand ambassador in Madrid, Tara Morton, and Spanish diplomats; and businessmen from Spain with interests in the oceanic country, among other people.
During the reception, Taha Macpherson and Diego Martínez Belío spoke, referring to the values that both countries share and the exchanges of high-ranking visits carried out on both sides in these 55 years.
“Our conversations today have highlighted that New Zealand and Spain share similar values and interests in a world full of challenges,” said Macpherson, who thanked Spain for the effort made during the Presidency of the EU Council to complete the agreement. with New Zealand.
