Ambassador hails TT-Spain links

Spanish Ambassador Javier Maria Carbajosa Sanchez hopes to build on the historical deep ties between his country and TT into new areas such as economic diversification, he said at a recent forum to celebrate 50 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations at the University of the West Indies (UWI), St Augustine.

“Since my arrival here six months ago, I was surprised by the very visible Spanish footprint in Trinidad and Tobago: the name of the country, the name of the capital, cities such as San Jose, San Fernando, Valencia, Rio Claro, Sangre Grande, the fact that the three vessels of Columbus are in the Coat of Arms of this country, the ‘Chaconia’ as the national flower, named after the last governor of Spain in Trinidad, Jose Maria Chacon.”

All these things make Trinidad and Tobago a place close to his heart. “We had a past but above all we have a future together. Our two countries are very active within the international community. We share the same values such as the rule of law, the protection of human rights and democracy.

“We pursue, beyond our national interests, similar goals: peace and security, the fight against terrorism, struggle against climate change, a sustainable economic growth for all. That is why Trinidad and Tobago is a relevant partner for Spain not only in bilateral terms but also due to the leadership role played by this country in the Caribbean region.”

Carbajosa renewed Spain’s commitment to TT. Noting TT’s efforts at diversification, he cited areas of possible co-operation as being tourism (for which Spain last year had 75 million visitors), renewable energy (which makes up 40 percent of Spain’s energy mix) and agriculture. He boasted of the excellent bilateral links between Spain and TT, underlined by the King and Queen of Spain’s visit to TT in 2009, and the Secretary of State for Latin America and the Caribbean’s visit in 2014 and again this year.

“Spanish firms such as Repsol, Global Exchange, Acciona and Ezentis. work in Trinidad and Tobago.” Carbajosa recalled an agreement to protect and promote reciprocal investments, unrestricted travel by citizens of each nation to the other, plus Spain’s support of Spanish language teaching at UWI. Likewise the two nations are linked by Caricom.

“The last Spain-Caricom Summit was held in Antigua in 2014, and we are working now to organize the next Summit as soon as possible. As an active member of the European Union, Spain promotes, along with the rest of Member States, fruitful relations with Trinidad and Tobago. Energy, climate change, the implementation of the Economic Partnership Agreement, fisheries, the implementation of the 11th European Development Fund are relevant points in the Trinidad and Tobago-European Union agenda.”