The Government of Spain and the Government of Catalonia have reinforced cooperation and coordination between administrations following the 14th Bilateral Commission and the Joint Transfer Commission meetings held in Madrid, where new agreements were reached to promote economic development, improve infrastructure and strengthen public services.

Among the main measures approved is the creation of a new Barcelona Free Trade Zone Consortium aimed at boosting economic activity, office management and industrial land development, while customs powers will remain under the responsibility of the Tax Agency. Both administrations have also agreed to establish a joint investment consortium and a State Investment Company for Catalonia to facilitate major strategic projects.

Another significant agreement focuses on the progressive development of the Orbital Railway Line through a collaboration protocol scheduled for 2026. The future infrastructure will directly connect the main cities of Barcelona’s second metropolitan ring, serving nearly five million residents without the need to pass through the Catalan capital.

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The Government of Spain and the Government of Catalonia Strengthen Institutional Cooperation and Strategic Investments

Institutional cooperation will also expand through the creation of a working group designed to promote the use of the Catalan language in relations between citizens and public administrations. In addition, both governments will launch a pilot Comprehensive Citizen Service Centre project to coordinate administrative procedures and public services.

The agreements also include the activation of the European Affairs and External Action Subcommittee and progress toward amending the General Coastal Regulation in order to establish new cooperation mechanisms for coastline management.

In terms of public assets and transfers, the Joint Transfer Commission approved the expansion of resources linked to coastal planning and management through the transfer of an entire floor of the Coastal Authority headquarters building in Barcelona. Another agreement formalised the transfer of a property associated with the Xerta-Sénia Canal in Tarragona for agricultural reform and rural development purposes.

At the same time, the Joint Economic and Fiscal Affairs Commission approved the financing framework required to expand the Mossos d’Esquadra police force to 25,000 officers by 2030, fulfilling the institutional commitments previously agreed between both administrations.