The first meeting of Edward Nalbandian was with his Spanish counterpart Trinidad Ximenez in Madrid.
 

The meeting started with a tete-a-tete conversation and then the negotiations continued in the format of a working lunch.
 

Welcoming Edward Nalbandian, the Foreign Minister of Spain expressed her readiness to undertake efficient steps towards the strengthening and deepening of cooperation with friendly Armenia in various spheres.
 

Expressing gratitude to his Spanish counterpart for the invitation to visit Madrid, Edward Nalbandian mentioned that the Armenian-Spanish relations had a history of centuries that is remarkable with its established traditions and reflections of mutual friendship. The Armenian Foreign Minister also added that the main goal of his visit is to give a new impetus to the bilateral relations that still have a great unutilized potential. “The establishment of the Armenian Embassy in Madrid this year is a proof to Armenia’s wish of strengthening and deepening of relations with Spain,” underlined Edward Nalbandyan.
 

The Foreign Ministers of Armenia and Spain mutually stressed the importance of organziaing reciprocal visits of high-ranking officials for the promottion of biletaral relations, as well as the necessity of intensification of political dialogue.

Edward Nalbandian and Trinidad Ximenez had a thorough talk on the directions of expansion of bilateral cooperation in various spheres and deepening of interaction in the frameworks of international organizations. The sides also exchanged views on the international agenda and regional issues.

In the course of negotiations, different directions of Ar
menia-EU relations and the steps undertaken towards the boosting of bilateral cooperation in the frameworks of the European Neighborhood Policy and Eastern Partnership Program also were discussed.
 

Ministers Nalbandian and Jimenez discussed the steps undertaken towards the facilitation of the procedure of receiving visa between Armenia and the European Union.
 

The interlocutors also touched upon the possibilities of development of cooperation in the spheres of culture and tourism.
 

For the promotion of bilateral relations between Armenia and Spain, the Foreign Ministers agreed to undertake steps towards the expansion of legal-contractual field – to work out a number of agreements, particularly on promoting and defending of investments,  as well as other documents in the sphere of economy.
 

            The sides discussed the possibility of organization of reciprocal visits of responsible bodies of the economic sphere from two countries and organization of an Armenian-Spanish business forum. The Ministers shared opinion that the launching of direct flights between  two countries will give a new impulse to the bilateral relations. In this context, the sides agreed to sign an agreement on Air communication and boost the airline companies of both countries to establish an air contact. 
 

Before the meeting, Edward Nalbandyan and Trinidad Ximenes signed an Agreement on avoiding double taxation between the Republic of Armenia and the Kingdom of Spain. Afterward the Armenian Foreign Minister visited the Parliament of Spain, where he met with the members of the Foreign Relations Committee of the Congress who represent various political forces of Spain.
 

            In the course of meeting, անՀաthe the i issues on the development of the Armenian-Spanish interaction and cooperation between the Parliaments of two countries were discussed. The sides also exchanged views on the expansion of legal-contractual field, regional and international issues.

 

The Spanish deputies highly appreciated the decision of the Armenian authorities to establish an Embassy in Madrid and mentioned that it can be a good impetus for the development of bilateral cooperation.

 

In the evening Edward Nalbandyan visited the Armenian Embassy in Madrid, where he met with the representatives of the Spanish-Armenian community organizations, whom he presented Armenia’s foreign policy and answered to numerous questions of the Spanish-Armenians.