In Spain, the telecommunications group TELEFÓNICA and the Bank BBVA - BANCO BILBAO VIZCAYA ARGENTARIA have concluded a "strategic agreement". According to the agreement, TELEFÓNICA will buy up to 3% of the BBVA capital for EUR 1.2 billion whereas the latter will increase to 10% (from the present 9%) its stake in TELEFÓNICA, for the sum of EUR 2.043 billion.