José Luis Martínez-Almeida Navasqüés, Mayor of Madrid, by virtue of his election at the plenary session of Madrid City Council on 15 June 2019, in accordance with the provisions of Article 14.2 of Law 22/2006 of 4 July on the Capital Status and Special Regime of Madrid, and in exercise of the powers assigned to him by Article 14.3(k) of this law.

And Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul in the Republic of Korea, by virtue of the power conferred on him by Article 193 of the Law on Local Government and the Ordinance for the Promotion of International Exchange and Cooperation of the Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Who have agreed to sign this Memorandum of Understanding, guided by a mutual aspiration to strengthen understanding and friendly cooperation between Madrid City Council and Seoul Metropolitan Government (‘the Signatories’).

It is the wish of the City of Madrid and the City of Seoul to establish links that allow them to engage in collaboration in matters of common interest.

1: Madrid City Council in the Kingdom of Spain and Seoul Metropolitan Government in the Republic of Korea share a firm intention to enhance their mutual understanding, improve the quality of the services that they provide, enable access to means of civic participation that will meet citizens’ needs and legitimate aspirations, and make their cities increasingly livable and sustainable, with spaces for meaningful coexistence able to meet the growing needs of two of the world’s most important metropolises.

2: The Signatories agree to mark the importance of strengthening cooperation mechanisms between the cities by cultivating a common area for discussion and debate about their situations in order to propose and share successful solutions to common problems.

3: The Signatories recognise the importance of cooperating across a wide range of areas and making progress through common actions, sharing lines of work that encourage the exchange of knowledge and experience, promoting civic participation and improvements in citizens’ living conditions, economic, social and cultural development and strengthening institutions and local democracy,

1: Promote communication, collaboration and the exchange of information, knowledge and experiences, especially on issues affecting their economic, social, institutional and cultural development.

2: Facilitate working meetings and joint technical programmes in the areas which are the object of this agreement, with the aim of enhancing understanding of the corresponding projects and proposals, and seeking joint solutions to common problems.

All in accordance with the following

1: Scope of application 

In accordance with the applicable state and municipal legislation, the two cities agree to strengthen comprehensive cooperation and the exchange of experiences in various areas of interest, including:

- Institutional exchange

- Culture and tourism

- Economic cooperation

- Infrastructure development

- Urban planning

2: Implementation and monitoring

The two cities agree that each city’s competent powers in matters of international relations will coordinate the implementation of this Memorandum, pursuing the realisation of the actions provided for within it. To this end, they will maintain regular contact, and enter into joint projects and activities in the areas of cooperation listed above.

3: Use of name, logo and publicity 

Neither Signatory may use the other Signatory’s name or logo, or corresponding abbreviation, in connection with their activities or for any other purpose, without the prior written permission of a duly authorised representative of each Signatory, in all cases.

Likewise, neither Signatory has the authority, express or implied, to make public statements on behalf of the other. Any press release or statement issued in connection with this Memorandum of Understanding must be approved in writing by both Signatories prior to publication.

4: Start of implementation of the agreement and termination of the Memorandum

This Memorandum of Understanding will become applicable as of the date of its signature.

If, during the term of application of the agreement, either of the Signatories desires its termination, they need only to notify the other party in writing with at least three months’ notice and this will not give the other party grounds for compensation. Activities and projects which are already in progress or which have been implemented during the agreement’s application will not be affected. To this end, the Signatories will adopt all necessary measures for the prompt and orderly completion of any activities initiated within the framework of this Memorandum.

Furthermore, the termination of this Memorandum will have no effect on any other agreement entered into between the Signatories.

5: Changes

Any changes to this Memorandum of Understanding will require the mutual written agreement of both Signatories.

6: Settlement of disputes during the implementation and application of the agreement

The Signatories undertake to reach an amicable settlement, through direct negotiation, of any disputes that may arise from the interpretation, implementation or execution of this Memorandum.

7: Costs

This Memorandum entails no legal or financial obligations and is not subject to international law. Any costs that might be incurred by the Signatories as a result of this Memorandum of Understanding will be conditional on the existence of ordinary annual budget availability, in accordance with the legislation in force.

In witness whereof, the Signatories sign this Memorandum of Understanding on equally valid original documents, one each in Spanish, Korean and English, in the City of Madrid on the twenty-sixth of October 2022.