MADRID, March 2 -- Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Zapatero announced here on Monday that he will be signing a joint energy cooperation agreement with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday.
Speaking at the closure of the forum for First Forum of the Hispano-Russo Civil Society, Zapatero confirmed that he would use Tuesday's meeting with the Russian president to sign the agreement that includes projects for the prospecting, use and transport of hydrocarbons and also of renewable energies.
"The moment has come to draw more links between Russian and Spanish interests in an economy that is becoming increasingly globalized," said Zapatero.
He added that the agreement would be mutually beneficial.
Spain imports around 20 percent of its gasoline from Russian, but the absence of a pipeline means that to date the country does not have the capacity to import Russian gas.
"This could be a strategic option for Russia," said Zapatero.
Meanwhile, the Russian president was kept busy on his first full day in Spain. Medvedev and his wife met King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia in the Palacio de a Zarzuela, before traveling to the Town Hall to meet Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, who handed him the keys to the city.
Monday closes with a gala dinner in the Royal Palace. Tuesday will see Medvedev meet the leaders of the Upper and Lower houses of the Spanish Senate before his meeting with Zapatero.
"There is an enormous potential in the power of words and in dialogues in the cooperation between Russian, Latin American and Spanish institutions," said King Juan Carlos.
"This dialogue and cooperation open new horizons," he added.
Speaking at the closure of the forum for First Forum of the Hispano-Russo Civil Society, Zapatero confirmed that he would use Tuesday's meeting with the Russian president to sign the agreement that includes projects for the prospecting, use and transport of hydrocarbons and also of renewable energies.
"The moment has come to draw more links between Russian and Spanish interests in an economy that is becoming increasingly globalized," said Zapatero.
He added that the agreement would be mutually beneficial.
Spain imports around 20 percent of its gasoline from Russian, but the absence of a pipeline means that to date the country does not have the capacity to import Russian gas.
"This could be a strategic option for Russia," said Zapatero.
Meanwhile, the Russian president was kept busy on his first full day in Spain. Medvedev and his wife met King Juan Carlos of Spain and Queen Sophia in the Palacio de a Zarzuela, before traveling to the Town Hall to meet Mayor of Madrid Alberto Ruiz Gallardon, who handed him the keys to the city.
Monday closes with a gala dinner in the Royal Palace. Tuesday will see Medvedev meet the leaders of the Upper and Lower houses of the Spanish Senate before his meeting with Zapatero.
"There is an enormous potential in the power of words and in dialogues in the cooperation between Russian, Latin American and Spanish institutions," said King Juan Carlos.
"This dialogue and cooperation open new horizons," he added.
