By Fatou Krubally
The Gambia and Spain have called for the effective implementation of bilateral agreements to deliver tangible results in security, migration, trade and economic development.
The call was made on Monday during celebrations marking Spain’s National Day at the Ebunjan Theatre, where Gambian Foreign Affairs Minister Sering Modou Njie and Spain’s Chargée d’Affaires in The Gambia, María Dolores Casariego Artola, reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening relations between the two countries.
Minister Njie said bilateral relations gained momentum in 2024 following visits by Spanish Foreign Affairs Minister José Manuel Albares in June and Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez in August.
He also cited the first bilateral political consultations, held in Madrid on February 27, 2026, as an important step towards advancing cooperation under a memorandum of understanding signed in 2023.
“Our priority now is to translate these consultations and also commitments into concrete results that support our national development and create opportunities for our people,” he said.
The minister identified defence and security as key areas of cooperation, thanking Spain for donating patrol boats to strengthen The Gambia’s maritime surveillance and operational capabilities.
He also commended Spain’s Guardia Civil for collaborating with Gambian security institutions to combat human trafficking, migrant smuggling and dangerous irregular migration by sea.
On migration, Njie welcomed progress under the Circular Migration Programme, which saw the first group of Gambian workers depart for Spain in June 2025. He said the initiative offered opportunities for legal employment, skills development and shared prosperity.
He identified tourism, fisheries, agriculture, renewable energy and private-sector investment as additional areas with potential to strengthen economic relations, generate employment and support national development.
For her part, Casariego Artola reaffirmed Spain’s commitment to its partnership with The Gambia, highlighting development cooperation, migration management and institutional strengthening.
She said nearly 40,000 Gambians live in Spain, making it a major destination for the Gambian diaspora in Europe, while about 1,800 Spaniards reside in The Gambia.
The diplomat also highlighted Spain’s collaboration with Gambian institutions through development programmes and initiatives supported by the European Union.
On democracy, she expressed confidence that The Gambia’s presidential election, scheduled for December 5, would be peaceful, transparent and inclusive, reflecting the will of the electorate.
Both officials underscored the importance of sustained dialogue and practical cooperation in advancing their shared priorities.
The celebrations also featured a cultural performance by Spanish singer and songwriter Ima Serrano, who performed her song “Gambia” in recognition of the longstanding ties between the two countries.
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