ERBIL, Kurdistan Region of Iraq - Iraq and Spain on Thursday inked several memoranda of understanding (MoU) to further legal, security, and trade cooperation and relations between the two countries.

The meeting in Madrid, chaired by Iraqi Prime Minister Mohammed Shia’ al-Sudani and his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, was also attended by several other top officials and ministers from both countries.

For joint MoUs were signed: One concerning legal cooperation and exchange of expertise between Madrid and Baghdad, another between Iraq’s the Sovereign Guarantees Initiative Committee and the Spanish government, one between the Federation of Iraqi Chambers of Commerce and the Spanish Chamber of Commerce, and one between the Federation of Iraqi Industries and the Spanish Confederation of Business Organizations (CEOE).

The two sides also signed cooperation agreements between the Iraqi integrity commission and Spain’s Attorney General’s office, and between Wasit province and Spain’s Imathia Construction Company. Additionally, they agreed to ink an MoU on security cooperation between the two ministries of interior.

Sudani arrived in the Spanish capital Madrid on Wednesday and has held several high-profile meetings, including meetings with the premier and Spain’s King Felipe VI, aimed at strengthening ties with the European country.

“Our visit to Spain celebrates the historic relations between our two countries and peoples across various fields,” read a statement from Sudani’s office.

“Spain’s supportive positions encourage the Iraqi government to establish a comprehensive and promising partnership, reflected in the active presence of Spanish companies in Iraq’s development efforts,” it added.

Spain’s stance on the war in Gaza and support for the Palestinian cause were also highlighted in Sudani’s meetings in Madrid.

In May, Spain joined Norway and Ireland in formally recognizing the State of Palestine. The Spanish government has repeatedly stressed the need to end the war in Gaza, and has called for an arms embargo on Israel and urged the EU to suspend the bloc's free trade agreement with Israel in light of its actions in Gaza and Lebanon.

Sanchez visited the Iraqi capital Baghdad late last year, discussing the need to boost bilateral ties in the fields of security, trade, and education.