Abstract

Bilateral relations between Spain and Poland are examined. Political and economic cooperation as well as cultural relations between Spain and Poland are analyzed. Major issues which were dominated in bilateral relations between mentioned countries are defined. Fundamental treaties which are the foundation for bilateral cooperation between countries are pointed out. It is stressed that the diversification of relations has become possible due to numerous visits at high-level meetings. Examples of bilateral contacts at high-level are given, namely official visits of heads of states, ministers who had a great impact on the Polish and Spanish relations. It is stressed that intergovernmental consultations headed by Prime Ministers have been held every year since 2003. Trade relations between Spain and Poland are described. The list of groups of products which dominated in export and import of both countries are given. The data on dynamics of Polish and Spanish trade and the number of direct Spanish investments in Poland and direct Polish investments in Spain in 2005-2012 is given. It is determined that the cost of Spanish investments in Poland has risen since 1994. In 2011 Poland became one of the main recipients of Spanish investments not only among new member states of the EU. It is noted that Polish investments in Spain are small. It is defined that cultural cooperation develops on the basis of Agreement on cultural and scientific cooperation between Polish and Spanish governments and on the basis of Agreement on scientific and technical cooperation. In Spain in 2002 a lot of cultural events were held within the framework of “The year of Poland in Spain” – it is the project that aims to popularize Polish culture and science in Spain. In turn “The year of Spain in Poland” was also held. Today relations between Spain and Poland are dynamic. A big contractual basis has been built up over the past ten years. Both the absence of vexed issues and a common cooperative politics of the EU open up new opportunities for cooperation between countries.