The Russians are coming…again

The Russians are back in Spain with Russian president Dmitry Medvedev making his first state visit. The quick visit took place on March 2-3.

President Medvedev was given military honors upon his arrival (photo) and, along with his wife Svetlana Medvedeva, were received by King Juan Carlos, Queen Sofia, and the Prince and Princess of Asturias. The welcome was followed with a lunch at the Zarzuela Palace.

March 2 was a busy day. Apart from the luncheon President Medvedev also attended the first meeting of the Russian and Iberoamerican University Rectors. There were also at least five memoranda of cooperation signed, among them an agreement to allow the transfer of Spanish troops and military equipment bound for Afghanistan via Russian territory.

Mrs. Medvedeva did some visiting of her own, being accompanied by the Queen to meet with the students and administrators of the Queen Sofia College of Music.

In the evening, a formal dinner reception was given for the president and his wife, presided by the monarch at the Zarzuela.

Throughout his visit Medvedev also met with other groups such as the Spanish-Russian business groups and the Foro de la Sociedad Civil España-Rusia. He also met with other Spanish officials led by Spanish Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero.

This is the second time that Russia has paid a state visit to Spain in three years. Then-president (and now Prime Minister) Vladimir Putin also made a state visit in February 2006.

You can read more about this state visit at TRF’s thread.

Filed under Spain
Tagged Bilateral Relations, Felipe VI of Spain, Juan Carlos I of Spain, President Medvedev of Russia, Queen Letizia of Spain, Queen Sofia of Spain, Russia, State Visit.