Madrid:Spain's Senate has rejected a proposed friendship and cooperation treaty with France on the first day of French President Emmanuel Macron's state visit to the country.

According to Anadolu Agency, the treaty, which had previously gained approval from Spain's lower house, was voted down in the Senate with 106 votes in favor, 142 against, and one abstention. The opposition People's Party (PP), which holds a majority in the Senate, opposed the treaty.

The agreement was initially signed by French President Macron and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez in January 2023 in Barcelona. It aimed to enhance cooperation and establish a framework for regular consultations between the two governments.

A point of contention for the PP was a clause allowing a minister from either country to attend the other's Council of Ministers. Although the governments later clarified that such participation would be limited to ad hoc meetings, Spain's Constitutional Court ruled last week that this provision did not violate the Constitution.

Earlier on Tuesday, Macron and his wife, Brigitte, were welcomed with military honors at the Royal Palace in Madrid by King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia.

Macron is scheduled to meet with Prime Minister Sanchez on Wednesday, where they are expected to discuss bilateral relations. This visit marks the first state visit to Spain by a French president since 2009.