The Diplomat
His Majesty the King yesterday praised the work carried out by Spanish diplomats in the most affected countries by the war in Ukraine. He did so when he handed over their diplomas to the members of the 73rd promotion of the Diplomatic Career, the first joint promotion in the history of Spain.
The ceremony was held, as is traditional, at the Diplomatic School, and the King was accompanied by the Sate Secretary for Foreign Affairs, Ángeles Moreno, and by the ambassador director of the school, Alberto Antón.
In his speech, Don Felipe emphasised that, of the 34 members of the graduating class, 17 are men and 17 are women, and that three of them have taken the top places. He also highlighted the fact that they come from twelve different autonomous communities, which gives them heterogeneity and makes it one of the “most diverse” graduating classes.
“To that extent, it reflects our country, whose values, principles and interests you will have to project, represent and also defend at all times throughout your careers,” the monarch encouraged them.
In his speech, Don Felipe pointed out that they must be convinced that they serve “a great nation”, and reminded them “how fundamental it is to work for the solidity of its institutions and for its capacity to progress in the highest aspirations of peace, security and well-being; within our constitutional, free and democratic framework, as a partner of the EU and in the context of our alliances and international relations”.
Taking the current situation as a starting point, the King emphasised that “in such an interdependent, fast-paced and complex world, in which tensions can have severe global effects, the vindication of diplomacy is more relevant than ever”. “Because it is an indispensable and irreplaceable tool, and the most appropriate and necessary in these times”, he said, while again condemning “the unacceptable aggression against Ukraine”.
At this point,” he said, “I would also like to recognise the work of our diplomats in the countries that are directly affected by this crisis, as was the case last year with Afghanistan. That is where you see, where your learning, your experience and also your initiative is put to the test. It is not only what you learn, but also what you are capable of developing with your personal initiative.
On behalf of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, José Manuel Albares, who was unable to attend the event because he was accompanying the President of the Government, Pedro Sánchez, during his speech in the plenary session of the Congress of Deputies, the State Secretary took the floor.
Ángeles Moreno celebrated the fact that this is the first equal promotion, something for which “we women” diplomats “have been working hard” and “finally” it has been achieved. “It is a cause for great celebration,” she said, recalling that until 1964 women did not have access to the diplomatic career.
On behalf of the new diplomats, the number one of the graduating class, Soledad Román, spoke after the reception of the offices.
Some 76% of the members of this graduating class come from public universities and 24% from private universities. With an average age of 30, in addition to English and French, the new diplomats also speak other languages such as German, Mandarin Chinese, Italian, Portuguese, Russian and Swedish.
