Earlier that day in the El Pardo Palace, where Vladimir Putin will reside during his stay in Spain, King of Spain Juan Carlos I and Queen Sophia hosted an official welcome ceremony for the Russian President and his spouse.
Vladimir Putin also attended the Mayor's Office in Madrid during the first day of his visit.
The Mayor of Madrid, Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon Jimenez, gave Vladimir Putin the Golden Key of Madrid.
The Russian President said that he considers this gift not only a sign of trust and respect, but also one of the cooperation and partnership that exists between the peoples of Russia and Spain. The President said that he is convinced that the doors of Russian and Spanish cities will always be open to one another.
The Mayor of Madrid pointed out that Russia has made a significant contribution to the huge field of joint construction projects in Europe. Alberto Jimenez emphasized that one result of Moscow's European orientation, an orientation to which President Vladimir Putin resolutely adheres, is that every day the two countries grow closer together.
The Madrid Mayor expressed special gratitude to the Russian President for the solidarity he has shown with the victims of terrorism in Spain. He also declared Spaniards' solidarity with the victims of terrorism in Russia.