The Spanish embassy in Doha highlighted the excellent relations between Qatar and Spain, inspired by the strong affection between both royal families, to mark Spain’s National Day Monday.
“Our respective governments have been working hand-in-hand to address common issues such as tackling the coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic.
"For example, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, has been in contact with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, for future avenues of collaboration,” Spanish ambassador Belen Alfaro told Gulf Times.
Several bilateral agreements are in negotiations and the two countries look forward to increase their level of engagement in different domains such as trade relations, education and culture, the envoy said.
Citing Spain’s historic relations with the Arab world, she noted that the Arab heritage and legacy of Al-Andalus remains through historic buildings in Spanish cities like Granada, Cordoba or Seville, as well as in the language and customs.
In education, Alfaro said the learning of the Spanish language, which has 8% of Arabic words from the history of Al Andalus, is on the rise in Qatar.
She added that the Spanish language is the second most spoken language in the world as a native language – the official language of 21 countries.
“It is the second most used language in international communication and the second most used language in social media, in Facebook and Twitter,” the envoy said, adding that a Spanish international school (SEK) is operating in Doha.
According to Alfaro, Qatar University and the Hamad Bin Khalifa University, offer a wide range of classes for adults and children and more private schools in Doha are offering Spanish as a foreign language in their curriculum.
She added that Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the American continent 524 years ago, an enterprise promoted and financed by the Spanish monarchy, “opened the path for a profound exchange between two different worlds and created a community that gathers today more than 500mn Spanish speakers from all over the world.”
In the cultural field, she said the “Spanish artists in Doha” exhibition at Katara – the Cultural Village featured 13 outstanding artists early this year (January).
Alfaro stressed that the event underscored the strong and deep-rooted relations between Qatar and Spain in this field.
She noted that from September 28 to January 17, 2021, the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid is hosting the exhibition “The Majlis — Cultures in Dialogue” at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, a unique exhibition reflecting the interaction of civilisations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present.
“Covid-19 has put on hold other cultural initiatives, however we are looking forward to increasing our co-operation in organising joint events and enhancing interaction between Qatari and Spanish museums,” the envoy said.
The two countries also share a passion for sports, especially for football, she pointed out.
Qatar's preparation to host the first FIFA World Cup which will be staged in the Arab world is going on in full swing, the envoy pointed out.
“The Qatari vision is to organise a memorable and unique tournament. In this sense, His Highness the Amir has announced that Qatar is committed to organising the first carbon neutral tournament. We believe it will be a great success not only for the country but for the region,” Alfaro said.
“There is an on-going co-operation between Qatar and Spain that definitely will contribute to the great success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In this regard, Spain is contributing to enhancing the sports culture in Qatar in many ways: through Aspire Academy and Aspetar, where very qualified Spanish professionals work, with top Spanish players in Qatari teams,” she said.
The envoy added that many Spanish companies have also been contributing to the development of the infrastructure projects designed to service the World Cup, such as the metro, airport, and roads, among others.
She noted that three of the eight 2022 Qatar World Cup stadiums have been designed by the Spanish architecture firm Fenwick Iribarren Architects: Education City Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, and Al Thumama Stadium.
Alfaro also stressed that the bilateral trade between the two countries continue to strengthen as 2019 registered the best figures compared to the previous years.
"For example, the Spanish Minister for Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, has been in contact with Qatar's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, HE Sheikh Mohamed bin Abdulrahman al-Thani, for future avenues of collaboration,” Spanish ambassador Belen Alfaro told Gulf Times.
Several bilateral agreements are in negotiations and the two countries look forward to increase their level of engagement in different domains such as trade relations, education and culture, the envoy said.
Citing Spain’s historic relations with the Arab world, she noted that the Arab heritage and legacy of Al-Andalus remains through historic buildings in Spanish cities like Granada, Cordoba or Seville, as well as in the language and customs.
In education, Alfaro said the learning of the Spanish language, which has 8% of Arabic words from the history of Al Andalus, is on the rise in Qatar.
She added that the Spanish language is the second most spoken language in the world as a native language – the official language of 21 countries.
“It is the second most used language in international communication and the second most used language in social media, in Facebook and Twitter,” the envoy said, adding that a Spanish international school (SEK) is operating in Doha.
According to Alfaro, Qatar University and the Hamad Bin Khalifa University, offer a wide range of classes for adults and children and more private schools in Doha are offering Spanish as a foreign language in their curriculum.
She added that Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the American continent 524 years ago, an enterprise promoted and financed by the Spanish monarchy, “opened the path for a profound exchange between two different worlds and created a community that gathers today more than 500mn Spanish speakers from all over the world.”
In the cultural field, she said the “Spanish artists in Doha” exhibition at Katara – the Cultural Village featured 13 outstanding artists early this year (January).
Alfaro stressed that the event underscored the strong and deep-rooted relations between Qatar and Spain in this field.
She noted that from September 28 to January 17, 2021, the National Archaeological Museum of Madrid is hosting the exhibition “The Majlis — Cultures in Dialogue” at the Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani Museum, a unique exhibition reflecting the interaction of civilisations in the past while encouraging dialogue in the present.
“Covid-19 has put on hold other cultural initiatives, however we are looking forward to increasing our co-operation in organising joint events and enhancing interaction between Qatari and Spanish museums,” the envoy said.
The two countries also share a passion for sports, especially for football, she pointed out.
Qatar's preparation to host the first FIFA World Cup which will be staged in the Arab world is going on in full swing, the envoy pointed out.
“The Qatari vision is to organise a memorable and unique tournament. In this sense, His Highness the Amir has announced that Qatar is committed to organising the first carbon neutral tournament. We believe it will be a great success not only for the country but for the region,” Alfaro said.
“There is an on-going co-operation between Qatar and Spain that definitely will contribute to the great success of the 2022 FIFA World Cup. In this regard, Spain is contributing to enhancing the sports culture in Qatar in many ways: through Aspire Academy and Aspetar, where very qualified Spanish professionals work, with top Spanish players in Qatari teams,” she said.
The envoy added that many Spanish companies have also been contributing to the development of the infrastructure projects designed to service the World Cup, such as the metro, airport, and roads, among others.
She noted that three of the eight 2022 Qatar World Cup stadiums have been designed by the Spanish architecture firm Fenwick Iribarren Architects: Education City Stadium, Ras Abu Aboud Stadium, and Al Thumama Stadium.
Alfaro also stressed that the bilateral trade between the two countries continue to strengthen as 2019 registered the best figures compared to the previous years.
