Following the rejection of the treaty, Karl Olive emphasizes the strength of Franco-Spanish ties
In the wake of the Spanish Senate’s rejection of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation with France, Representative Karl Olive dismisses the notion that this constitutes a diplomatic defeat for Emmanuel Macron. In an interview published on October 1, 2026, he describes the vote as a setback for the treaty, which occurred amid intense political confrontation in Spain, but one that does not define relations between the two countries.
A Rejection at the Final Stage
Signed in Barcelona in 2023 by Emmanuel Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez, the treaty went through several stages of parliamentary review. According to Karl Olive, France completed its ratification process in 2025, and the Spanish Congress of Deputies approved the treaty in June 2026. The Spanish Senate blocked ratification on September 29.
The lawmaker, who has chaired the France-Spain Friendship Group in the National Assembly since 2024, considers it an overstatement to speak of Spain’s rejection of France. He believes the vote is part of a period of domestic political polarization, as new elections are expected in both countries next spring. He also points out that the text had been deemed consistent with the Spanish Constitution.
A Framework for Ongoing Cooperation
The treaty aims to structure bilateral relations for the long term. In particular, it provides for an annual summit, regular political dialogue, and a multi-year roadmap. The areas covered range from foreign policy and defense to justice, security, the economy, education, culture, and youth, with a focus on cross-border relations in the Pyrenees.
The text also aims to encourage educational exchanges and youth mobility, particularly through the Erasmus+ program. For Karl Olive, these provisions formalize an existing cooperation rather than single-handedly creating the ties between the two countries.
He emphasizes the importance of economic and people-to-people exchanges. In 2024, trade in goods between France and Spain reached 91.4 billion euros. France is Spain’s largest trading partner, while Spain is France’s fourth-largest trading partner. In terms of tourism, nearly 12.8 million French citizens visited Spain in 2025. France, for its part, welcomed just over 8 million visits by Spanish tourists, representing approximately 30 million overnight stays.
The Treaty and the Ceuta Crisis: Two Distinct Issues
When asked about the migration crisis in Ceuta and the criticism directed at the Spanish government, Karl Olive distinguishes this issue from the ratification of the treaty. “Approving a bilateral treaty does not mean approving the handling of the Ceuta crisis,” he states in the interview.
He notes that the criticism focuses in particular on foresight, coordination, and the response to the crisis. Allegations of mistreatment, he says, are under investigation and must be clarified. He emphasizes that the treaty provides for cooperation on migration management, external border control, and the fight against irregular immigration and smuggling networks, without exempting governments from their responsibilities.
Karl Olive also places the agreement within a broader European framework, alongside France’s partnerships with Germany and Italy. He advocates for cooperation that, in his view, is intended to strengthen security and protect businesses and institutions, while maintaining each country’s sovereignty.
A Parliamentary Solution Is Still Possible
Rejection by the Senate would not necessarily bring the process to an end. According to Karl Olive, a joint committee comprising representatives from both chambers could seek a compromise. The bill would then be submitted to the House and the Senate; if no agreement is reached, the House could decide the matter by an absolute majority. The congressman believes these steps could take place after the next elections.
Source: All the latest news from Le Journal du Dimanche (www.lejdd.fr)
Original article: View the original source
Author: leJDD
