Spain – The Minister’s meeting with his counterpart, José Manuel Albares Bueno (22 Oct. 2025)

Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, had a meeting in Paris on 22 October with his Spanish counterpart José Manuel Albares Bueno, Minister for Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation.

The meeting was part of the Fourth Ministerial Conference on Feminist Foreign Policies, being held by France on 22 and 23 October. France and Spain were among the first countries to officially adopt a feminist foreign policy, making women’s rights and gender equality a priority of their foreign policy. Spain will hold the next conference in 2026.

The Minister and his counterpart welcomed the excellent dynamic of the Franco-Spanish relationship, whilst recalling the importance of swiftly finalizing the ratification of the Barcelona Treaty.

The ministers also talked about current European and international issues, ahead of the European Council of 23 October. They reaffirmed France and Spain’s continued unfailing support for Ukraine. On the Middle East, they welcomed the release of the Israeli hostages held by Hamas and called for civilians to be protected and for Gaza to be able to access humanitarian aid. France and Spain will continue their commitment to helping stabilize the Gaza Strip and carry on implementing the agreement concluded in Sharm el-Sheikh.

Finally, the ministers talked about the main trade-related issues and the need to firmly defend European interests.