This Wednesday's meeting was the first significant meeting between the prime ministers of the UK and Spain for more than a decade.
It was made possible because the two countries have finally struck a deal regarding Gibraltar's future since Brexit.
Outside 10 Downing Street [Democrata]
In an interview with The Guardian on Tuesday Pedro Sanchez touched on several issues of the moment.
[Image courtesy of La Razon]
Gaza Strip
Sanchez said Israel's assault on the Palestinian territory was one of the darkest episodes of international relations in the 21st century.
The Spanish PM is the first senior European leader to accuse Israel of committing genocide in Gaza. He opined that Europe's response to the situation has been poor.
[Map courtesy of La Sexta]
Ukraine
The world is looking at the European Union and western society, he said.
"Why are you doing double standards when it comes to Ukraine?"
Trump
Sanchez has clashed with US president Donald Trump over Spain's refusal to meet Trump's demands to spend five per cent of GDP on defence.
Nevertheless, he stressed that Spain was a "reliable partner" in NATO.
He emphasised that he was committed to preserving "the best relationship with the US", regardless of who was in the White House.
[Photo of Trump: EL PAIS]
"We have a different vision on how to face the challenges that the world and our societies are facing." Despite this "we need to strengthen our cooperation and collaboration."
The weakening of the West
"The most shocking reality that we're facing is that ….. [the US] is now weakening the international order" as a result of Trump's isolationist policies.
[Image: The New European]
Migration
Sanchez has been forthright about the benefits of migration. 
"The dilemma that western societies are facing is whether we decide to be an opening-up and growing society, or a closing-off and shrinking society.
"I believe that that the vast majority of citizens in Spain understand quite well that migration is also an opportunity and not only a moral duty."
[Map courtesy of ResearchGate]
The Climate Emergency
The Spanish PM has announced a 10-point plan to help Spain mitigate the effects of the climate emergency.
He warned that efforts to tackle the crisis were being undermined by right-wing parties adopting the far right's rhetoric in the hope of electoral gain.
[Sanchez' 10-pointplan - Instagram]
Spanish Justice System
Pedro Sanchez claims that his wife, Begoña Gomez, is the victim of a right-wing and far right judicial smear campaign.
Asked whether he had confidence in Spain's justice system, he said: "The large majority of judges ….. fulfil their obligations and do their jobs ,,, But there are some judges who are playing politics."
[Begoña Gomez: La Razon]
Right-wing parties
The leader of the PP, People's Party (Conservative), Alberto Núñez Feijóo, and Santiago Abascal, frontman for far-right fascist party VOX are being totally un-cooperative, said Spanish premier, Pedro Sanchez, during the Guardian interview.
On issues such as climate change and immigration the right-wing parties are trying to curry favour with the electorate.
According to Sanchez the opposition parties offer no real alternative, only "a regression".
"What we are witnessing in Spain is the political collapse of the traditional party ..... because it's copying the far right."
My View
I am not ashamed to admit that I am an admirer of Pedro Sanchez. Positioned slightly to the left of centre, he has demonstrated great dexterity in forming a minority government and keeping the coalition that supports him in place through a period of major challenges.
[Sanchez courtesy of El Mundo]
He has the advantage of being young, tall and good-looking. But, most important of all he is a fluent English speaker, the only Spanish PM out of seven since Spain became a democracy again in 1978. This ensures he is a major player in EU and world politics.
His official visit to London this week represents a significant moment in this troubled world.
Footnote:
This story was
also covered by SUR in English, which is published weekly in Marbella.
However, their writer, Paula de las Heras, focused more on the meeting between Sanchez and Starmer and less on the Guardian interview.
[Logo courtesy of My Guide Marbella]
Links:
"Bye, bye, Pedro. Pedro bye bye"? - Eye on Spain
Pedro Sánchez president again: What happens next - Eye on Spain
Spain on top of the world! - Help me, Ronda
and the SUR in English article:
From London to Paris, Spain's prime minister seeks to regain ground on the international stage | Sur in English
© Paul Whitelock
Images:
Democrata, El Mundo, EL PAIS, Instagram, La Razon, La Sexta, ResearchGate, The New European
Acknowledgements:
BBC, Diario SUR, Sam Jones, Jamie Wilson, MSN, Patrick Wintour, SKY News, The Guardian,
Tags:
10 Downing Street, 10-point plan, Abascal, Begoña Gomez, BBC, climate change, climate emergency, Democrata, Diario SUR, EU, El Mundo, EL PAIS, Feijoo, Gaza, Gibraltar, immigration, Instagram, Jamie Wilson, La Razon, La Sexta, London, MSN, migration, My Guide Marbella, PP, Paula de las Heras, ResearchGate, right-wing, Sam Jones, Sanchez, Patrick Wintour, Paul Whitelock, right-wing, SKY News, Starmer, The Guardian, The New European, Trump, Ukraine, VOX