The Kremlin’s press service reported that on July 19, 2012, King of Spain Juan Carlos I received the State Prize of the Russian Federation for his outstanding services in the field of humanitarian work.
The Spanish king has long been engaged in humanitarian activities, being the chairman of the World Wildlife Fund. The award in the form of an honorary badge and diploma of the winner of the State Prize of the Russian Federation was presented to him during a ceremony in the Kremlin by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian president delivered a fiery speech, in which he listed all the merits of the King of Spain to our Power regarding the promotion of moral and humanistic ideals. Calling Juan Carlos I a dear guest and true friend, he invited him to visit a friendly state more often.
In turn, the king of Spain expressed his condolences to the Russian families affected by the flood in the Kuban. He also said that most of the prize he received will be used to restore the temples of one of the Spanish cities of Lorca, destroyed by an earthquake.
In addition, Juan Carlos focused on the effective development of friendly relations between our peoples and expressed hope for their further strengthening. The official part ended with a dialogue between the two leaders in the format of a bilateral meeting at which not only political, but also important economic relations between Spain and Russia were discussed.
A no less intense dialogue took place between Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev and Juan Carlos I. The issue of facilitating the visa regime between the countries and trade and economic relations were discussed. The Prime Minister congratulated the Spanish people in the person of the king with a fantastic victory in the football championship. "Red Fury" once again achieved the title of champion of the continent.
The monarch of the Spanish state expressed great appreciation for the hospitable visit. He also wished that Russian-Spanish cooperation would continue in the future.
