# Macron visits Madrid to boost Spain-France ties

30 September 2026 at 14:20

> President Emmanuel Macron joins King Felipe VI at a trade forum to push for improved energy and railway interconnections between nations.

President [Emmanuel Macron](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/emmanuel-macron-q3052772>) and Brigitte Macron arrived in [Madrid](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/madrid-q2807>) on Tuesday for his first state visit to [Spain](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/spain-q29>) since taking office in 2017. The French leader joined [King Felipe VI](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/felipe-vi-q191045>) at the Spain-[France](<https://spainnews.co.uk/entity/france-q142>) Trade and Investment Forum, opened by Carlos Cuerpo.

King Felipe VI called for a new impulse for energy and railway interconnections. Current energy links sit at 2%, well below the 10% target. While the Constitutional Court endorsed a bilateral treaty, the PP-led Senate voted against the 2023 agreement.

France remains Spain's top customer with a trade volume of 95,000 million euros. Executives from Iberdrola and Carrefour attended the forum before a final reception at the French Embassy. The stalled treaty allows ministers to attend each other's councils.


#SpainFrance #EmmanuelMacron #KingFelipeVI #EnergyInterconnection #TradeForum