Spain–Ukraine relations

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Spain–Ukraine relations
Map indicating locations of Spain and Ukraine

Spain
Ukraine
Diplomatic mission
Embassy of Spain, KyivEmbassy of Ukraine, Madrid

Spain–Ukraine relations are the bilateral and diplomatic relations between these two countries. Both countries established diplomatic relations since the independence of Ukraine from the USSR in 1991.

History[]

During the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648), the Ukrainian Cossacks participated on the side of the Spanish-Portuguese Catholic alliance against the Protestant coalition supported by the Tsardom of Russia and the Ottoman Empire.

During the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939), Ukrainian brigades recruited from the Western Communists fought on the Republican side.[1] The Nationalist side led by Franco supported the former Ukrainian People's Republic, which lost the Soviet-Ukrainian War (1917-1921).[2]

Diplomatic relations[]

There is a fluid political dialogue between the two countries. The humanitarian aspect of the relationship has been strengthened with the programs of Spanish associations to welcome Ukrainian children in Spanish families during the period of school holidays and the presence of an important colony of Ukrainian citizens in Spain, which has contributed to the development of Spain and which is fully integrated in the Spanish society.[3] Spain has reiterated its support for the territorial unity of Ukraine in the crisis with Russia and, also, supports Ukraine's accession to the European Union (EU).[4]

Economic relations[]

The bilateral Ukraine–Spain trade figures have been increasing since the mid-2008 crisis. The Spanish trade balance with Ukraine registers a traditional deficit. In 2014 the trade deficit stood at €884 M, somewhat higher than 2013, which was €687M. This was mainly due to a 32% drop in Spanish exports to Ukraine due to the deep economic crisis that the country was going through. Both quantitatively reduced exports and imports represent a small percentage of Spain's total foreign trade. In 2014, Ukraine was ranked 61 as a buyer in Spain and 45 as a seller to it.[5]

Cooperation[]

Ukraine is not a priority country in the Master Plan of Spanish Cooperation. However, there are some cooperation programs in different social fields, as well as specific decentralized cooperation projects. The Spanish Administration is currently running several twinning programs of the EU in Ukraine.[6]

Declarations, treaties and agreements[]

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in La Moncloa during the first visit to Spain in June 2018.
  • Agreement on International Road Transport, signed on June 16, 1995 and in force since March 7, 2000.
  • Air Transport Agreement, signed on October 7, 1996 and effective as of April 22, 1997.
  • Social Security Agreement, signed on October 7, 1996 and in force since March 27, 1998.
  • Agreement on Economic and Industrial Cooperation, signed on October 7, 1996 and in force since April 12, 2000.
  • Agreement on Cultural and Educational Cooperation, signed on October 7, 1996 and in force since January 13, 1997 and in force since January 13, 1997.
  • Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation, signed on October 8, 1996 and in force since August 20, 1997.
  • Agreement for the Promotion and Reciprocal Protection of Investments (APPRI), signed on February 26, 1998 and effective as of May 5, 2000.
  • Memorandum of Understanding on Financial Cooperation, signed in 1997;
  • Agreement of Technical Scientific Cooperation, signed in 2001.
  • Administrative agreement for the application of the Social Security Agreement, signed on January 17, 2001
  • Agreement to avoid Double Taxation, concluded in 1985, and in force since 1986, when the current Ukraine was part of the former Soviet Union.
  • Ukraine wishes to conclude a new, independent agreement whose negotiations began in 2006.
  • Agreement on Regular Migration Flows between Spain and Ukraine, signed on May 12, 2009 and pending its ratification by the Ukrainian parliament.
  • Driving license swap agreement, signed on January 11, 2010.
  • Memorandum of cooperation in International Maritime Transport, signed on January 11, 2010.
  • Agreement on reciprocal protection of classified information, signed in Kyiv on February 10, 2015.[7]

Embassies[]

The Embassy of Spain is located in Kyiv, Ukraine. The Embassy of Ukraine is located in Madrid, Spain.

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Галичани в Іспанії. Як рота імені Шевченка з фашистами воювала
  2. ^ Наші земляки у боях із комунізмом в Іспанії
  3. ^ http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/Ucrania_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf Office of Diplomatic Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Diplomatic Relations
  4. ^ https://www.eldiario.es/politica/espana-reitera-unidad-territorial-ucrania_1_5966986.html
  5. ^ http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/Ucrania_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf Office of Diplomatic Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Economic Relations
  6. ^ http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/Ucrania_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf Office of Diplomatic Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Cooperation
  7. ^ http://www.exteriores.gob.es/Documents/FichasPais/Ucrania_FICHA%20PAIS.pdf Office of Diplomatic Information of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation; Declarations, treaties and agreements
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