The Diplomat in Spain

US Ambassador to Spain, Richard Duke Buchan III, presided over the celebration of the Independence Day yesterday with a reception in the garden of his residence that brought together the most distinguished of politics, the judiciary and the business world.

Buchan (pictured above during the Raise the Flag Ceremony) highlighted the «excellent» bilateral relations between both countries and the fact that Spain and the United States «share our love for democracy.» In this sense, he bet for a growth of the links in this political stage that will share Donald Trump and Pedro Sanchez. «Our relationships will always grow,» he said.

The ambassador recalled that Spain occupies the tenth position among the countries with more investments in the United States and that American companies have invested 55,000 million dollars in Spain and employ more than 78,000 people in our country. In addition, almost 30,000 students from his country come to Spain to improve their training. Finally, he announced that his family has adopted a dog named Duna, born in Málaga nine weeks ago.

On Goverment’s behalf attended the reception the new Minister of Economy, Nadia Calviño; the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Fernando Valenzuela; the Secretary of State for Defense, Ángel Olivares; the Secretary of State for Communication, Miguel Ángel Oliver, the director of CNI, Félix Sanz Roldán, and the director of International Affairs at Moncloa, José Manuel Albares.

Also present was Army’s Chief of Staff, General Javier Varela, as well as the Mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena; former President of Madrid Community, Esperanza Aguirre; and several judges of the National Court such as Santiago Pedraz or Eloy Velasco, in addition to numerous representatives of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Spain.

Text: A. Rodríguez / Photos: A. Rubio. 04/07/2018

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The Ambassador during his speech.

Minister of Economy, Nadia Calviño, with the hosts.

Marca España’s High Commissioner, Carlos Espinosa de los Monteros, and his wife.

Pope’s Nuncio, Enzo Fratini, attended the reception.

The adviser to President Pedro Sánchez, Iván Redondo, arrives at the reception.

Qatar and Egypt Ambassadors and their wives.

Constitutional Court’s President, Juan José González.

The hosts with Moroccan Ambassador, Karima Benyaich.

CNI’s Director, general Félix Sanz Roldán, with the Ambassador and his wife.

Indonesia’s Ambassador, Hermono, and his wife.

Mayor of Madrid, Manuela Carmena, and her husband.

Richard Duke Buchan III greets Vietnam’s Ambassador, Ngo Tien Dung, and his wife.

Secretary of State for Communication, Miguel Ángel Oliver, with the hosts.

The Ambassador welcomes Haiti’s Chargé D’Affaires, Olga Ducasse.

Ambassadors of Belgium, Cyprus and the Arab League.

The Ambassador of Saudi Arabia with Duke Buchan and his wife.

US Embassy staff with former Madrid’s President, Esperanza Aguirre, and her husband.