Minister José Manuel Albares stated that “Casa Árabe is a key player in consolidating our Hispanic-Arab ties.”
Casa Árabe celebrated last Wednesday a reception on the occasion of its 20th anniversary, attended by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares; the Minister of Culture, Ernest Urtasun; the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Miguel Ángel Moratinos, most of the ambassadors of Arab countries stationed in Spain, and various civil and military authorities.
For the anniversary celebration, the exhibition Time Together (2006-2026) 20 years of Casa Árabe and friendship between Spain and the Arab world, was inaugurated, which will be open to the public until September 13th.
In the presentation, the General Director of Casa Árabe, Miguel Moro, stated that “these years have been filled with exciting, outstanding moments and I believe also full of meaning, in line with its objective of promoting through public diplomacy the approach and better understanding between Spain and the Arab world.”
Referring to the exhibition, he emphasized that “it aims to be an effort, a response in value of what has been done during these years, but also a recap of views towards the future, which I trust will continue to be as relevant based on consensus and collaboration among the various administrations that make up the consortium. We have made a selection of photos from the EFE archive and our own, in which, believe me, we had to dive very deeply to highlight the evolution and milestones of the house, as well as the Hispanic-Arab relations.”
“Time Together” thus proposes a journey through fragments, moments, and experiences that, as a whole, outline a common or shared trajectory. Celebrating 20 years also means recognizing that what has been built requires care and attention, as well as a renewed commitment in the face of the various challenges posed. Five general directors have preceded me at this podium, to whom I thank for building this inimitable space,” said Miguel Moro.
The General Director of Casa Árabe concluded with words of gratitude “to the important alliance of institutions that made our birth possible, to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Thank you, in particular, today, Minister (Albares), for being here, for supporting us, to the Arab embassies, as well as to the human team of Casa Árabe for their dedicated work over the years.”
The ambassador of Morocco, Karima Benyaich, subsequently took the floor as the dean of the group of the Council of Arab Ambassadors here in Madrid.
The ambassador wanted to take the opportunity “to express our sincere gratitude to the Government of Spain and in particular to the Minister of Foreign Affairs for his actions in favor of the Arab world, so close and so far at the same time, which has translated into the strengthening of relations between Spain and the different Arab countries, both at the bilateral level and with the Arab League, granting significant importance to Palestinian cohesion that concerns us all. We also want to congratulate the General Director of Casa Árabe and all its members for the work they are carrying out with passion to bring Spain closer to the different Arab countries through various activities.”
“Celebrating 20 years of Casa Árabe in Madrid, and at its headquarters, the Moroccan ambassador pointed out, is betting on two decades of dialogue, encounters, exchanges, and building bridges between two cultures and two shores. Its fundamental role today, more than ever, in this world of uncertainties, to bring the Arab world with all its diversity closer to Spanish society is important, but it must be through dialogue, mutual respect, mutual understanding, and cooperation for greater understanding and coexistence.”
In his turn to speak, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, thanked the General Director, Miguel Moro, “for the momentum you are giving to Casa at this time.”
“Casa Árabe, the minister stated, is not only an absolutely necessary space, but it is an open space for citizens. Thousands of citizens pass through here, leading to conversations and debates. It is a space that also serves as a meeting point between Arabic students, academics, artists, and above all, it is already part of Spain’s international projection. Here, in this center, our Mediterranean Arab vocation is renewed day by day, from here, from this house. Because Spain is, in its foreign policy, also a bridge between Europe and the Arab world.”
“In these very difficult times, where some want to resign themselves to the idea that the only way to relate to the people of the Middle East is through war, Spain does not resign. And Spain works and leads Europe to work together with the Arab world, to bring back peace. From Spain, we look south and east, not only for geographical reasons but also for our history, our culture, our political will. And our foreign policy has a constant commitment to dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect with Arab countries. Spain, in its foreign policy, knows very well that cooperation is always more powerful than confrontation. And Casa Árabe is a top-level instrument of diplomacy, of public diplomacy. It is capable of bringing societies closer, fostering mutual understanding, and accompanying a dense and strategic political relationship. It is a key player in consolidating our Hispanic-Arab ties, thanks to the work of all those who are part of it,” said José Manuel Albares.
“The exhibition we inaugurate today illustrates that trajectory and that shared work over these 20 years, continued the Minister of Foreign Affairs, intertwining three fundamental dimensions of the geopolitical evolution of the region, which are undergoing full transformation, its foreign action and the very activity of this house. Casa Árabe is part of the cultural dialogue between Spain and the Arab countries. There are cultural initiatives that have brought our societies closer through culture and indigenous culture. And in these moments of reconfiguration of regional and global balances, Spain bets more than ever on diplomacy and dialogue and on strengthening our relations with both the Mediterranean Arab countries and those of the Gulf.“
“We have defended from the very beginning that only with a just and lasting peace for the Palestinian people can there be stability in the Middle East, he pointed out. The recognition of the Palestinian state in May 2024, the celebration of the intergovernmental meeting between Spain and Palestine, the visit of President Mahmoud Abbas last year, are clear expressions. A coherent foreign policy based on firm and unwavering support for the two-state solution. And now, once again, we have been the first to firmly reject the war in the Middle East, where we defend, because there is no other solution, de-escalation, dialogue, and a return to the negotiating table. That is why we support Pakistan’s mediation.”
The Minister José Manuel Albares concluded his remarks by stating that “indiscriminate violence in Lebanon also must cease,” to subsequently remember the Spanish soldiers stationed in that country under the UN flag. “And today I want to pay a very special tribute to the Spanish soldiers deployed there and to their families, who represent the best values of Spanish society. Spain is carrying out a foreign policy at the forefront of defending international law, peace, and respect for the Charter of the United Nations.”
