BILATERAL RELATIONSHIP
Spain and the United States have a long history of official relations and are
closely associated in many fields. In addition to U.S. and Spanish cooperation
in NATO, defense and security relations between the two countries are regulated
by a 1989 Agreement on Defense Cooperation, revised in 2003. Under this
agreement, Spain authorized the United States to use certain facilities at
Spanish military installations.
The two countries also cooperate in several other important areas. Under a 1964 agreement (currently
being renegotiated), the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration
(NASA) and the Spanish National Institute of Aerospace Technology (INTA) jointly
operate the Madrid Deep Space Communications Complex in support of Earth orbital
and solar system exploration missions. The Madrid Complex is one of the three-largest
tracking and data acquisition complexes comprising NASA's Deep Space Network.
An agreement on cultural and educational cooperation was signed on June 7, 1989. A new element,
supported by both the public and private sectors, gives a different dimension to
the programs carried out by the joint committee for cultural and educational
cooperation. These joint committee activities complement the binational
Fulbright program for graduate students, postdoctoral researchers, and visiting
professors, which became the largest in the world in 1989. Besides assisting in
these exchange endeavors, the U.S. Embassy also conducts a program of official
visits between Spain and the United States.
Spain and the U.S. are strong allies in the fight against terrorism. (Background Note: Spain
7/07)
BILATERAL EVENTS
2008
 13th US-Spain Forum,
Houston, Texas, May 16-18, 2008 (more)
 |
Ambassador Aguirre, Senator Mel Martinez and
BBVA CEO J.I. Goirigolzarri with Houston local authorities |
2007
Solar Decathlon Competition, Washington, October 12-20, 2007
 |
Example of Solar House |
Nota de prensa
Department of Energy Page
U.S. and Spain to Develop "Solar Decathlon Europe"
UPM, third place award
Infopack
Un hogar más ecológico
During a visit to Bilbao on October 10 and 11, Chargé d’Affaires Hugo Llorens
highlighted the strong economic ties between Spain and the United States and
promoted the benefits of investing in renewable energy technologies. In a
speech to a group of prominent Basque business leaders the Chargé outlined the
U.S. strategy for addressing global climate change and encouraged Spain to
continue developing and investing in clean energy technologies. In addition,
the Chargé held a breakfast with IVLP alumni to exchange views with them on
US-Spain bilateral issues. He was also in Bilbao to represent the Embassy at the
opening of the exhibit “Art in the USA: 300 Years of Innovation” and attend a
gala dinner at the Guggenheim Museum. The exhibit opening received excellent
press coverage in all major Spanish newspapers. During a morning interview with
Radio Euskadi (250,000 listeners) the Chargé answered questions about the
US-Spain bilateral relationship, US policy in Iraq, terrorism and the US
electoral process. Charge also met with the Mayor of Bilbao, Iñaki Azkuna Urreta
(interview
 )
 |
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens with the
Mayor of Bilbao, Iñaki Azkuna Urreta, October 2007 |
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens was interviewed by Intereconomía's TV
program La Campana on October 1, 2007. He talked about environment, and Bush
Administration's efforts to face climate change.
(see video clip
 )
|
Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Llorens at Intereconomía, October 1, 2007 |
Ambassador Dell Dailey, Secretary Rice's principal advisor on counterterrorism and the USG's coordinator
for all diplomatic efforts on counterterrorism, was in Madrid on Friday
September 21 for meetings with counterparts in the Spanish Ministry of Interior,
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and various security, law enforcement and
intelligence agencies. Ambassador Dailey's delegation shared USG
counterterrorism assessments and explored ways to deepen our already excellent
bilateral cooperation on counterterrorism matters.
 |
Ambassador Dailey visited Madrid on September 21, 2007 |
Representatives the United States-Spain Council and the Fundación Consejo España-Estados
Unidos met June 22-24 at the 12th U.S.-Spain Forum in Salamanca
(more)
 |
Tom
Shannon, President of US-Spain Council Luis Perez, Ambassador Aguirre and Vicepresident Eusebio Mujal-León
|
USCIS Director Emilio González visit to Madrid, Instituto Elcano, June 21, 2007
(more)
 |
Emilio González visited Madrid to discuss on immigration legislation in the U.S.,
June 21, 2007 |
Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice Visit to Spain, June 1, 2007
 |
Secretary Rice shakes hand with president Zapatero at la Moncloa, June 1, 2007 |
*
Joint Press Conference Rice-Moratinos, June 1, 2007
*
Secretary Rice's Visit to Spain Video, June 1, 2007
*
Picture gallery
Ambassador Aguirre attended a party hosted by DCM Hugo Llorens,
March 16, 2007
 |
Ambassador Aguirre with blues musician Richard Johnston, at a
barbeque held at Deputy Chief of Mission Hugo Lloren's residence on March 16, 2007,
in honor of the "Memphis in May" International Festival Delegation , on the
occasion of their tour of Spain, the 2007 honored country. |
Ambassador visit to Huesca, Jan. 31-Feb. 4, 2007
 |
Ambassador
Aguirre with
Excmo. Sr. D. Luis Miguel Álvarez, Vicerrector of Santuario de
Torreciudad, Maria Teresa
Aguirre, Louis Aguirre, brother of Ambassador and Marc
Sanderson, Executive Assistant to the Ambassador in front of the beautiful
Santuario de Torreciudad near El Grado, Huesca
|
Ambassador
touring the Santuario de Torreciudad, Huesca, February 2007
 |
Ambassador Aguirre touring the Santuario de Torreciudad
with
Excmo. Sr. D. Luis Miguel Álvarez, Vicerrector of Santuario de
Torreciudad and Maria Teresa
Aguirre
|
US Ambassador to the IAEA Gregor Schulte visited Madrid January 10-11 to meet
with members of Spanish Foundations and Think-tanks, as well as members of
Congress to discuss on Iran and nuclear non-proliferation.
 |
Ambassador Schulte in Madrid, January 10, 2007 |
•
Interview on ABC, January 12, 2007
•
U.S. Envoy Calls on U.N. States To Enforce Iran Sanctions
•
Ambassador Schulte speech in Rabat, January 9, 2007
•
Ambassador Schulte bio
2006
Assistant Secretary for Western Hemisphere Thomas Shannon visit to Madrid,
December 2006
 |
Thomas Shannon in Madrid, December 2006 |
• Interview on ABC, 12/02/06
• Interview on El País, 12/02/06
• Interview on Radio Ser, 12/02/06
Ambassador Aguirre presented books donated by the U.S. Embassy to the
President of Comunidad de Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, October 4, 2006
Ambassador Aguirre met with Administrator of the
Drug Enforcement Administration, Karen Tandy. Read her interview in El País (English
version / versión en castellano).
 |
Ambassador Aguirre with Administrator of the
Drug Enforcement Administration, Karen Tandy during her September 12-14
visit to Spain |
September 11 Anniversary
 |
DCM Llorens with representatives from the Association of Victims of
Terrorism in the US Embassy lobby, September 11, 2006 |
 |
DCM Llorens with Pilar Manjón Gutiérrez, President of the
11 M Association Victims of Terrorism, participated
in a memorial service for the victims, September 11, 2006ll |
 |
A collection of September 11 pictures taken in New York was donated to US
Embassy by photographer Javier Prieto, who stands with some of his pictures
in the US Embassy lobby,
September 13, 2006 |
Ambassador Aguirre with Yolanda Barcina Angulo, the mayor of Pamplona, during
the last day of San Fermín, Pamplona, July 14, 2006
 |
July 14, 2006 during the last
day of San Fermin with Yolanda Barcina Angulo, the mayor of Pamplona |
Ambassador Aguirre with Miguel Sanz Sesma, President of Navarra, the mayor of
Pamplona, during the last day of San Fermín, Pamplona, July 14, 2006
 |
July 14,
2006 during the last day of San Fermin, with Miguel Sanz Sesma,
President of Navarra |
Ambassador Aguirre with Sagrario Guinduláin Guerendiáin, Mayor of Peralta,
Pamplona, July 15, 2006
 |
July 15, 2006, with Sagrario Guinduláin Guerendiáin,
Mayor of Peralta |
Ambassador Aguirre met with Andorran Foreign Minister Minoves on July 11 to
discuss issues of mutual interest.
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and
Andorran Foreign Minister
Juli Minoves, July 11 |
July 4 Celebration at Ambassador Residence
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
with Ambassador of Holy See to Spain, Manuel Monteiro, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and Mrs. Aguirre with Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Félix Sanz Roldán,
July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre and
Mrs. Aguirre
with Trinidad Jiménez, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and Mrs. Aguirre with Lawyer Antonio Garrigues, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and Mrs. Aguirre with Minister of Public Works, Magdalena Álvarez, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and Mrs. Aguirre with Minister of Justice, José Antonio Alonso, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre
and Mrs. Aguirre with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador Aguirre and
Mrs. Aguirre
with President of Community of Madrid, Esperanza Aguirre, July 4 |
 |
Presenting color to
Ambassador and Mrs. Aguirre with Moratinos, Alonso and Álvarez, July 4 |
 |
Ambassador and Mrs.
Aguirre with members of the Spanish government during his speech, July 4 |
U.S. Ambassador Eduardo Aguirre and Spanish Minister of Education Mercedes
Cabrera sign a joint statement on scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.
30 June 2006., Madrid, June 30, 2006
 |
US Ambassador Aguirre and Mercedes
Cabrera, Madrid, June 30 |
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice meets with Spanish Ministry of Foreign
Affairs Miguel Ángel Moratinos, Washington, June 19, 2006
 |
Rice with Moratinos in Washington, June 19 |
2005
U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld meets with Spanish Ministry of Defense
José Bono at Pentagon, Washington, May 03, 2005
|
Rumsfeld met Bono at Pentagon, May 03, 2005 |
U.S. Secretary of State
Condoleezza Rice meets with Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Moratinos at State
Department, Washington, April 15,
2005
|
Rice met Moratinos at State Department, D.C., April 15, 2005 |
U.S. Attorney General Gonzales Remarks at the
International Summit on Democracy, Terrorism and Security, Madrid, March 10,
2005
(English version) /
(versión en castellano)
|
Gonzales and Moratinos shake hands in the presence of Vicepresident Fernández de la Vega,
Madrid, March 10, 2005 (AP photo) |
2004
Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister Moratinos's Visit
to Washington, April 21, 2004
|
Powell and Moratinos shake hands after their meeting in Washington, April 21, 2004 (EFE photo) |
EXPRESIONS OF SOLIDARITY / (castellano)
Secretary Powell in Madrid. Meets with
President Zapatero after State Funeral for victims of Bombings Attacks, March,
24, 2004
|
Powell talks with Zapatero at La Moncloa after the state funeral, March 24,
2004
(EFE photo)
|
Aznar Speaks to U.S. Congress on Terrorism, U.S.-Europe Ties, February 04, 2004
|
Aznar speaking at U.S. Congress. Behind, Cheney and Hastert applaud,
Feb. 4, 2004 (©AP/WWP)
|
Remarks by Colin Powell
and Spanish Foreign Minister Ana Palacio After Their Meeting, Washington,
January 07, 2004
|
Powell and Palacio at the State Department, January 07, 2004
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