NM governor travels to Spain

SANTA FE (AP) - Gov. Bill Richardson is traveling to Spain as part of an economic development mission.

The governor's office says he left Sunday and will return Friday.

Richardson is scheduled to participate in several meetings with business and political leaders as part of an effort to recruit jobs and investment to the state. Among those he plans to meet with are chief executives of solar and wind energy companies.

Richardson also plans to meet with Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and Spanish Foreign Minister Miguel Angel Moratinos.

Richardson will also participate in a news conference to highlight an exhibit of documents dating from the Spanish colonization of the southwest United States. The exhibit will open in New Mexico in October.

The Rafael del Pino Foundation is paying the governor's travel expenses.