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Author : Juan Antonio March Pujol
Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Spain to the Russian Federation
The year of cultural exchange between our two countries consists
of a whole range of different economic, cultural, art, educational,
and social events.
I think that it will strengthen our relations. More Russians will
begin visiting Spain, and many more Spaniards will show an inter-
est in Russia. More enterprises and companies of both countries
will start a dialogue on cooperation.
It seems to me that the relations between our countries since 1992,
after the Soviet Union ceased to exist and the Russian Federation
became its legal successor, have continued to grow and develop.
Russia's role on the international arena has become stronger. Im-
portant political consultations, meetings, and talks between the heads of state, governments and
ministries have taken place. I think that our relations are developing quite intensively.
You know it is much easier for an ambassador to work in the atmosphere of mutual friendliness
that has developed in recent years between the leaders of our states at the highest level, between
His Majesty King Juan Carlos and President Dmitry Medvedev, between government chairmen
Vladimir Putin and Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, and between the ministries of foreign affairs
and deputy ministers. It is easier and more pleasant.
There are quite a few of our companies working in Russia. For example, food companies that
have been here for more than 16 years now. It is enough to mention such brands as Chupa
Chups, Gallina Blanca. Campofrio, and the Roca Company, which has several sanitary engineering
factories in your country, in particular in Moscow, St. Petersburg, Cheboksary, and Kaluga. Rus-
sians are also very familiar with the fashionable clothing of the Zara Company. New Spanish
companies, which areINVESTING more than 300 million Euros in the automobile industry,
are making their debut in the Russian market. I can also name the energy company Iberdrola,
which is trying to develop the production of renewable electric power, has won a tender and is
cooperating with a combine in Ekaterinburg. This year, our large oil and gas company Repsol is
beginning to make investments in Russia. I would like to note that the best Spanish companies
have an interest in cooperating with the Russian Federation in such areas as telecommunications,
the automobile and aerospace industries, and many other spheres. We are already striving to build
cooperation in innovations and to diversify our business relations.
I think that both Spaniards and Russians have a zest for life, a desire to discover something new,
and a striving for action. I can also say that Russians who come to Spain are very satisfied with
their experience in our country. They want to come again. Eighty percent of visitors to Spain
share this desire. They want to repeat their experience and find out more about the country. And
when you ask Russians where they would go again on a long weekend (four or five days, which
we call "puente"), most of them say Barcelona. As a native of that town, I am always pleased to
hear this.
We Share a Striving for Everything New