Ambassador of Spain
What will be your reflection on Saudi-Spanish diplomatic ties over a decade?
Saudi Arabia and Spain have had strong and reliable ties since historical times. Evidence of this statement can be found in architecture, monumental sites, in Spanish language, geography, and even music. According to various scholars, some of the roots of flamenco can be traced back to the music of Al-Andalus. For centuries Al-Andalus, presently Andalusia, was one of the regions of the western world with the highest intellectual, artistic and scientific levels. In the 10th and 11th centuries, Cordoba became one of the most important cities in Europe, with the contribution of eminent Arab scholars.
In the 1950s and 1970s, when Spain was an isolated country, the two countries maintained bilateral ties, and Spain always reckoned with Saudi Arabia. The relations between the two countries transcend the past, as in more recent times, these solid foundations have been reinforced by the fraternal relationship uniting our respective Royal Houses, not to mention the growth of business cooperation and the major flow of tourists. In the 21st century, 2010 can be marked as the beginning of a new period of multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, including economic, trade, political, and cultural initiatives.
In the economic sphere, this momentum was boosted by projects such as the construction of the Al Haramain Mecca-Medina High-Speed Train, the Riyadh Metro, and the manufacture of five corvettes for the Saudi Royal Navy. Without forgetting the important presence of strong Spanish companies like Typsa, Idom, Indra, FCC and Aqualia and others. With this solid foundation and infrastructure already in place, Spanish companies are now looking to use the resources available in the Kingdom and bring their know-how to move into new areas of cooperation. In this sense, we are happy for the recent MoU signed between the Ministry of Defense of Saudi Arabia and Navantia to build five new ships for the Royal Saudi Navy.
What was the influence of the Saudi-Spanish Joint Committee on bilateral trade since 2007?
The establishment of the Saudi-Spanish Joint Committee was another important milestone for the two countries. Since its inception in 2007, the Committee has held three meetings in 2014, 2018, and 2022. This year, as part of the third meeting, a Saudi delegation visited Spain with the participation of more than 50 organizations from the public and private sector of Saudi Arabia.
Representatives from both countries explored ways to deepen economic cooperation in energy, water, technology, tourism, education, infrastructure, real estate, aviation, agriculture, and the environment. This initiative has built confidence in developing new opportunities for cooperation and continuous evaluation of what has been done and where more improvements can be made. In addition, we count on the recently reformed Saudi-Spanish Business Council to intensify business cooperation. This will give entrepreneurs and businesses more space and investment opportunities in the two countries. While the project is underway, one thing is clear and very important. The council will have two presidents from Spain and Saudi Arabia as companies that want to invest in either country cannot always easily find information on how to start their journey. The two countries’ participation will allow entrepreneurs to make more informed decisions and develop business cooperation in the right direction.
Spain is one of the key international partners of Vision 2030. Please discuss some current partnerships that will contribute to Saudi transformation.
Spain is following with great interest the ambitious Vision 2030 modernization program. We want to support Saudi Arabia in developing a project that brings together the best talents of Saudi society and promises to boost the economy significantly, strengthening its leadership in the region and its visibility on the international stage. We are interested in bringing our experience and knowledge to this transformation and becoming a part of megaprojects. For example, being one of the leaders in the tourism industry, Spain can offer a number of ideas and projects to develop the tourism industry in Saudi Arabia. At the same time, our involvement in infrastructure and engineering in Saudi Arabia remains intact.
What makes Saudi Arabia an attractive tourism destination for Spaniards?
First and foremost, Spaniards should come to Saudi Arabia because it is very original, authentic culture and different from what people used to see when traveling. While many parts of the world, such as the Caribbean and old Europe, are very well advertised, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf retain their authenticity and uniqueness, attracting without excessive or commercial advertising. People always look for something new and unknown. Saudi Arabia, which has become more open to the global community, maybe an exceptional place on this list. Saudi Arabia is a hub, where a friendly and genuine nation preserves ancient civilizations and layers of a thousand-year history.
What will be your remarks on the concept of the Diplomatic Quarter?
It is a privilege to live and work in the Diplomatic Quarter. I have been impressed with this place since my arrival. Of course, Riyadh itself is a city with a distinctive flavor in which the old and the new are preserved in one place. However, the concept of DQ, its hiking trails, cafes, restaurants, and infrastructure is impressive and commendable. The security of this place, the placement of embassies and entertainment facilities create the best opportunities for maximum productivity. Essentially, DQ allows one to develop soft diplomacy, walking and talking to other diplomats as a means of communicating in informal but productive ways.
