Japan, Spain to Upgrade Bilateral Ties to Strategic Partnership

October 17, 2018

Madrid- Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe and his Spanish counterpart, Pedro Sanchez, agreed Tuesday to upgrade the bilateral ties to a strategic partnership covering many fields ranging from national security to culture.

The partnership "will address common challenges and opportunities in the fields of political and diplomatic cooperation, security, economy and innovation and people-to-people exchanges through culture, education, sports and tourism," a joint statement issued by the two leaders said.

This year marks the 150th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Japan and Spain.

"I hope that investment, economic and personnel exchanges between the two countries will be promoted further," Abe said in his first meeting with Sanchez.

Abe and Sanchez signed a new bilateral tax convention with a clear scope of taxation and new provisions to eliminate double taxation.

The leaders also signed a revised bilateral aviation treaty that will allow designated airlines to freely select the origin and destination cities for flights between the two countries.

Abe and Sanchez confirmed the policy of promoting rules-based multilateral free trade.

They agreed to work toward an early effectuation of the economic partnership agreement between Japan and the European Union signed in July.

Abe sought cooperation to resolve the issue of North Korea's abductions of Japanese nationals. Sanchez expressed his support.

Before the meeting, Abe met with Spanish King Felipe VI at the Zarzuela Palace in Madrid. Jiji Press