The Arab monarchies of the Persian Gulf enjoy a preferential positon in Spain's foreign policy, due to their political and economic relevance. The Transición period and the first democratic governments involved a profound renewal of Spanish international relations, involving ways of interacting with the different regions worldwide, the Middle East regimes included. In 1976-1996, both Adolfo Suárez and Felipe González focused on strengthening bonds with Saudi Arabia, Oman, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Bahrain and Kuwait. They established narrow relationships that have been kept up for more than forty years. All those countries still represent an area of vital importance for Spanish interests and objectives.