FORGING FRIENDSHIP: Ambassador of Spain to Qatar, Ignacio Escobar, (third from right) along with HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari (fourth from right), and other dignitaries cutting the ceremonial cake on Spanish National Day.

By Umer Nangiana

In a simple yet elegant ceremony, the Spanish embassy in Doha celebrated the National Day of Spain on Monday. While the event was attended by dignitaries from the Qatar government, it also saw participation by members of the diplomatic corps accompanied by their spouses.
Welcoming HE the Minister of Culture, Arts and Heritage, Hamad bin Abdul Aziz al-Kuwari, Minister’s Assistant for Foreign Affairs Mohamed bin Abdulla bin Mutib al-Rumaihi, Ambassador Ibrahim Fakhroo, Director of Protocol and ambassadors from different countries, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Escobar invited the chief guests to cut a special cake prepared for the occasion, symbolising “the unity of Qatar and Spain.”
“It is my great pleasure to welcome you to the National Day of Spain as we celebrate the discovery of the American continent. This encounter between the two worlds was the starting point of a process marking the beginning of a lasting contact between the people of both hemispheres,” the ambassador told the gathering of guests at Ritz-Carlton Hotel.
Speaking about Spain-Qatar bilateral relations, he said they were established in 1972 and the Spanish Embassy in Doha was opened in 2003. Since then, and inspired by the strong affection between both royal families, the ties between the two countries have gradually intensified in each and every field.
“Let there be no doubt, the bilateral relations with Qatar, and with the rest of the GCC countries, are a strategic priority for Spain,” said Escobar. He said his personal discovery of Qatar began about 10 months ago, when he arrived for the first time in Doha.
So far, he had the opportunity to learn more about this country, and to interact with its people. “I have discovered a country full of energy with a strong commitment and determination to carry its goals towards the future through its 2030 National Vision,” said the Spanish ambassador.
Spain is more than ready, he said, to continue assisting Qatar in achieving its 2030 goals. And it will do so through the exchange of visits of a political, economic, educational or cultural nature. There are nearly 100 Spanish companies — small, medium and large — present in the country that are ready to do their bit in transforming Qatar into an advanced and sustainable nation as provided for in its National Vision.
“Spain can do this as we are a vibrant and entrepreneurial country that has managed to recover from the economic crisis through a series of important reforms. Today Spain is among the largest economies, growing at 3%, attracting 65mn tourists (including more and more Qataris),” said Ambassador Escobar.
Spain is the world leader in areas such as renewable energy, fashion retail, plasma production, marine medicine, thermoelectric energy, production of desalinated water, hospital building and transplant surgery.
At European level, Spain hosts leading companies in sectors such as construction, telecommunications, banking, refinery construction and industrial vehicle manufacturing, said the Spanish envoy.
Mutual understanding, he added, starts with language, and at the Spanish Embassy they are working to meet the high demand for Spanish language, be it at high school or university level.
“I am proud to say that this year a Qatari public school, Tarik bin Zyad, will be offering for the first time Spanish as a foreign language. We are also looking forward to closer co-operation with Qatar University and other institutions in the field of research, development and innovation,” said the ambassador, adding that SEK School has been chosen by the Supreme Education Council as a model teaching institution, combining international curriculum with Spanish know-how.
The embassy is also envisaging a more narrow cultural co-operation with the Qatari authorities by putting at their disposal a wide array of traditional pieces from Spain’s Islamic past and with modern art from Spanish contemporary artists.
“You are very well aware of the importance of sport as an instrument to build bridges and bring together people from all over the world, to enhance national identities and peace building. Whether you support Barcelona or Real Madrid, Spain is also present in Qatar with top level sportsmen or a wide array of first class professionals working with Aspire and Aspetar,” the ambassador informed the audience.
He made a special mention of the outstanding performance of the Qatar national handball team which secured the silver medal during the world championship under the coaching of a Spanish trainer.
The ambassador said he was confident that both countries will continue to closely work together to take their bilateral relations to an even higher level, under the leadership of HH the Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani.
He thanked the sponsors from Spanish Business Council that contributed to the success of the event.

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