The Diplomat
Six new ambassadors accredited to Spain presented their Letters of Credence to the King yesterday, in a ceremony held at the Royal Palace. They are the diplomatic representatives of Hungary, Colombia, Thailand, Bolivia, Bangladesh and Bulgaria.
Don Felipe, who was accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Arancha González Laya, first received the Ambassador of Hungary, Katalin Tóth, and, after her, the Ambassador of Colombia, Luis Guillermo Plata Páez.
Next, the new ambassador of Thailand, Phantipha Iamsudha Ekarohit, presented her credentials, taking over a post that has been vacant since August 2019, when the previous ambassador, Krerkpan Roeckchamnong, passed away.
Afterwards, it was the turn of Bolivian ambassador, Nardi Suxo, former minister of Transparency and the Fight against Corruption under Evo Morales. With her appointment, a diplomatic crisis unleashed in December 2019 with Spain, during the provisional government of Jeanine Áñez, came to an end.
Finally, the ambassadors of Bangladesh, Mohammad Sarwar Mahmood, and Bulgaria, Aleksey Elenkov Andreev, handed over their Letters of Credence.
After the presentation of their Letters of Credence, each of the new ambassadors had a private conversation with the King, accompanied by the Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Although all the ambassadors were already able to carry out their activities after submitting their Copies of Letters of Credence to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, since yesterday they have been officially accredited and can take part in all activities where the Head of State is present.
The ceremony for the presentation of the Letters of Credence took place, following a tradition that dates back to the 18th century and which includes the transfer of the new ambassadors in period carriages of Patrimonio Nacional from the Palace of Santa Cruz, headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, to the Royal Palace, escorted by the Royal Guard Squadron on horseback and the Municipal Police Drum Squadron.
On their arrival at the Royal Palace, they are welcomed by the Royal Guard band in the Patio de la Armería, which plays the anthems of their respective countries.
