Armenia–Spain relations

Armenia–Spain relations refers to the diplomatic relations between Armenia and Spain. The importance of relations centers on the history of Armenians migration to Spain. Approximately 40,000 Armenians and their descendants reside in Spain.[1] Both nations are members of the Council of Europe.

Armenian-Spanish relations

Armenia
Spain

Country comparison
Armenia Spain
Coat of arms
Population 3,262,200 46,354,321
Area 29,743 km² (11,484 sq mi) 505,990 km² (195,360 sq mi)
Population density 108.4/km² (280.7/sq mi) 92/km² (238/sq mi)
Capital Yerevan Madrid
Largest city Yerevan – 1,121,900 (1,230,000 Metro) Madrid – 3,141,991 (6,700,000 Metro)
Government Unitary parliamentary republic Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy with regional devolved powers
Current Leader President Armen Sarkissian
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan		 Monarch Felipe VI
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez
Official languages Armenian Spanish
Main religions 99% Christian, 1% Yazidism 68% Catholic Christians, 27% not religious, 2% other religions
Ethnic groups 97.9% Armenians, 1.3% Yazidis, 0.5% Russians, 0.3% Others 88% Native-born Spanish citizens, 12% immigrants

(57% of them from Spain's former colonies in Latin America, the rest are
mostly Eastern European, especially Romanians, Bulgarians, Russians and Serbs)

GDP (nominal) US$10.106 billion ($3,032 per capita) US$1.864 trillion, ($40,290 per capita)

History
Memorial to the Armenian Genocide in Mislata

Early relations

The first initial contact between Armenia and Spain took place in 1382 when deposed King Leo V from the Armenian Kingdom of Cilicia arrived to Spain seeking assistance from Spanish King John I of Castile to regain his kingdom. In Spain, Leo V received the title of Lord of Madrid and stayed in Spain until 1390 when King John I of Castile died.[1] Throughout the centuries, Armenians arrived to Spain escaping war and uncertainties in their home country. Some Armenians partook in the age of exploration for Spain in the late 1400s and early 1500s.[1]

During the Armenian Genocide in 1915, most Armenians did not travel Spain, but instead went to either France or former Spanish territories of Argentina and Uruguay. On 26 December 1991, Armenia regained independence after the Dissolution of the Soviet Union. On 27 May 1992, Armenia and Spain established diplomatic relations.[2]

Modern relations

Since independence, over 20,000 Armenians have immigrated to Spain.[3] In 2003, Spain opened an honorary consulate in Yerevan. In August 2010, Armenia opened a resident embassy in Madrid.[4] In recent years, five Spanish provinces have recognized the Armenian genocide (Aragon, Balearic Islands, Basque Country, Catalonia and Navarre).[5] In 2010, a memorial was erected in Mislata, Valencia, the first monument commemorating the Armenian genocide in Spain.[6]

High-level visits

High-level visits from Armenia to Spain[2][4]

High-level visits from Spain to Armenia

Bilateral agreements

Both nations have signed several bilateral agreements, such as an Agreement on the reciprocal Promotion and Protection of Investments (1990); Agreement on international transportation by road (2000); Memorandum of Understanding in Tourism (2013); Agreement on the Avoidance of Double Taxation and Tax Evasion (2010) and an Agreement on Cultural, Educational and Scientific Cooperation (2013).[2]

Trade

In 2015, trade between Armenia and Spain totaled €55.8 million Euros.[2] Armenia's main exports to Spain include: ores, slag and ash. Spain's main exports to Armenia include: ceramic products, preserved fruit and vegetables, perfume, rubber and meat.[2] Spanish multi-national company, Zara operates in Armenia.

Resident diplomatic missions

See also

References
  1. Cien Años del Genocidio Armenio (in Spanish)
  2. Bilateral relations between Spain and Armenia (in Spanish)
  3. Karen Mardanyan: “En España estamos dando ahora los pasos que los armenios dieron en Francia en los años veinte” (in Spanish)
  4. Bilateral relations between Armenia and Spain
  5. Spanish lawmakers reportedly fail to recognize Armenian Genocide
  6. Mislata inaugura la primera escultura que simboliza la amistad entre España y Armenia
  7. Embassy of Armenia in Spain
  8. Embassy of Spain in Russia
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