The Government of Canada is committed to strengthening its relationship with its European partners and expanding economic avenues for Canada.
Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement, and the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs, announced the signing of a General Security of Information Agreement (GSOIA) with Spain. The GSOIA was formally signed by Canada's Ambassador to Spain, Jeffrey Marder, and Secretary of State for the Spanish National Intelligence Center, Esperanza Casteleiro Llamazares, during a ceremony held in Madrid, Spain.
Canada's relationship with Spain is rooted in shared values and mutual trust. This GSOIA will help to achieve tangible benefits for Canadians, such as improved access to defence markets and technologies. Once entered into force, this agreement will:
- strengthen Canada's engagement with Spain, a like-minded partner and North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) ally, through enhanced defence cooperation
- expand markets and enhance Canadian industry competitiveness for Spanish contracts
- provide a vehicle for Canada to access the Spanish specialized workforce and Spanish classified technologies
- provide the framework for the exchange of classified information with Spain, including defence intelligence as well as sensitive operational information and technical data related to weapons systems
The agreement establishes a legally binding framework for the exchange of classified information between Canada and Spain, replacing the interim non-binding arrangement from 2011. It ensures that both Canada and Spain maintain the highest standards of security while allowing the exchange of sensitive government information entrusted to authorized contractors and government institutions.
This agreement reflects Canada's commitment to building strong international partnerships that support trade, innovation and shared prosperity in a fast-changing global environment. It also reinforces Canada's role as a reliable ally in defence and security cooperation.
