Spain appears to be reaching out to warm relations with Germany and the European Union, the International Herald Tribune reported Tuesday.
Following the first summit between German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder and Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis RodrÃguez Zapatero, both sides acknowledged some differences remained, but that relations were stronger than ever.
The two stressed they had found common ground on the majority of issues, including the proper approach for dealing with the newly elected government of U.S. President George Bush.
An aide to Zapatero said both leaders felt it was necessary to extend a helping hand to Bush on the issue of Iraq.
"They are willing to offer political, diplomatic, humanitarian and economic aid," the official said. "But they will not provide troops."
The only concrete agreement from Monday's meetings was a military accord in which Spain will continue to lease 108 tanks from Germany until 2016. The agreement also includes a deal in which Spain will help Germany produce tanks, missiles, torpedoes and other military equipment designed with German technologies, a Spanish official said.
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