"The Kingdom of Spain maintains strict compliance with the terms established by the Albufeira Convention for the Spanish part of the Tagus hydrographic region," the Ministry of Ecological Transition states in a press release.

Indicators show a "current situation of prolonged drought " in the western part of the Tagus watershed, the statement adds.

Spain’s government guarantees that "the remaining commitments established [...] will continue to be fulfilled," provided that there are no "exceptional conditions" – as provided for under the Albufeira Convention, which governs the permitted flow levels of the main cross-border river basins such as that of the Tagus.

According to Spain, at present "there are no circumstances defined by the Convention as "exceptional circumstances in which it is allowed not to apply all agreed flows".

The statement says that indicators show the western part of the Tagus basin is in a "very worrying" state with regard to drought situations and scarcity.

The precipitation in the Spanish part of the basin over the last hydrological year is at "very low values [in comparison with] the historical series" – meaning that volumes were “not enough" to meet demand on the Spanish side of the border, after the consumption of a significant part of water reserves at the beginning of the year .