President Obama to visit Spain in July

THE White House announced today (June 6) that President Barack Obama will make his first visit to Spain since coming to power in 2009, although his wife and children did visit on a private trip some years ago.

The President will be travelling to Poland for his last visit to a NATO summit and from there will fly to Spain for formal meetings on July 9, 10 and 11, although at this stage it is not known whether he will be welcomed by an interim or elected government, considering that this is just a few days after the June 26 election.

According to the White House statement issued by Press Secretary Josh Earnest, “The visit to Spain, an important NATO Ally, will highlight robust security cooperation, a strong political and economic relationship, and longstanding people-to-people ties,” 

It continued “The President’s agenda in Spain will include meetings with His Majesty the King of Spain and the Acting President of Spain (sic).”

James Costos, the American ambassador to Madrid tweeted “July visit of @POTUS to Spain underscores the strength of our robust and multifaceted bilateral relationship.”