The closer relations between Spain and New Zealand offered "many possibilities" in trade and economy in times of current severe international financial crisis, said Spanish King Juan Carlos I on Tuesday.

At a state luncheon held in his honor at the Parliament building, King Carlos said cooperation prospects are especially bright in those sectors of renewable energy, infrastructure, finances and telecommunications.

In his welcoming address, New Zealand Prime Minister John Key said New Zealand had "strong aspirations to strengthen and broaden its long-standing ties with the European Union" and Spain was a "good friend" in the European Union.

Spain was reaching out to the Asia-Pacific regions and New Zealand in particular, Key added.

The Spanish royal's state visit will push bilateral ties to a higher level, Key said.


Visiting Spanish King Juan Carlos I (R) and Queen Sofia (L) attend the welcoming ceremony in Wellington, New Zealand, June 23, 2009. Spanish King Juan Carlos I and Queen Sofia are on a two-day official visit to New Zealand. (Xinhua/Huang Xingwei)
King Carlos and Queen Sofia of Spain were on a five-day visit to New Zealand -- their first in 21 years.

The Spanish royal received a red carpet and traditional Maroi welcoming ceremony in front of the Parliament Building in Wellington on Tuesday, and reviewed the guards of honor of the New Zealand three armed forces.

Following their meeting, the Spanish king and New Zealand Prime Minister John Key witnessed the signing of a working holiday agreement between the countries.

Up to 200 young New Zealanders will be able to live in Spain for a year and work for up to six months under the new reciprocal working holiday scheme signed by New Zealand Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman and Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs Angel Lossada Torres-Quebedo. The same applies to Spaniards wishing to live and work in New Zealand.

The two countries also signed a mutual voting rights agreement enabling New Zealanders resident in Spain to vote in municipal elections there, and Spanish people resident here to vote in New Zealand's general and local elections.

King Carlos and his wife opened a Spanish embassy in Wellingtonon Tuesday afternoon.

The Spanish royal will leave for Australia on Wednesday.

Source: Xinhua