<h6><strong>The Diplomat</strong></h6> <h4><strong>A fortnight before Claudia Sheinbaum takes office, the country's ambassador to Spain, Quirino Ordaz, said he was ‘convinced’ that, with the arrival of the new president, ‘Mexico and Spain will continue to deepen their relationship of brotherhood and multiple coincidences, as well as trade and investment links’.</strong></h4> During the reception he hosted on Friday at his residence on the occasion of the 214th anniversary of Mexico's independence, the ambassador revealed that in the last presidential elections - ‘the first time that Mexicans living abroad were able to vote in person at Mexican embassies and consulates - “Madrid was the city in the world with the highest number of voters”. Ordaz thanked ‘President Andrés Manuel López Obrador for all his support and confidence’ in appointing him ambassador to Spain in March 2022. In a much more conciliatory speech than some of the outgoing president's speeches, Quirino Ordaz assured that the shared Spanishness-Mexican history and cultures are ‘what gives strength to our bilateral relationship, which translates into numerous economic, commercial, touristic, academic and cultural contacts’. ‘Being Mexican’, he added, “means being proud of our culture, diversity and valuing our historical heritage”. He also recalled that last June marked the 85th anniversary of the arrival of thousands of Spanish refugees in Mexico after the Republican defeat in the Civil War. ‘This episode,’ he stressed, ’opened an endearing chapter between our peoples. Mexico will always remember the generosity of those refugees who, thanks to their talents and entrepreneurship in countless disciplines, allowed us to develop our institutions and promote science, culture and the arts. ‘Mexico,’ the ambassador continued, ’is a stable, attractive country with great opportunities, both for the strength of its economy and institutions and for its integration with the United States and Canada. This explains, he said, ‘the important and growing Spanish investments in our country’ and the fact that ‘Spain, in turn, has become a very attractive place for Mexican investments’. Ordaz said that during his stay in Spain he had been able to see for himself that "Spaniards from all regions, communities and provinces have a deep affection and affection for Mexico. This is explained by our common history and the deep ties that we have forged over the centuries. Spain is part of our historical heritage". The reception was attended by the Secretary of State for Ibero-America, the Caribbean and Spanish in the World, Susana Sumelzo, along with numerous Spanish parliamentarians, diplomats, businessmen and academics. The ambassador valued ‘especially’ the presence of ‘representatives of the Army, Navy, National Police and Civil Guard, who maintain constant cooperation with the Mexican armed forces and civilian forces,’ he said. Ordaz ended his speech by asking those present for a toast after proclaiming: ‘Long live Mexico and long live Spain! [caption id="attachment_93906" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-93906 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mexico-recepcion-Allamand.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> The ambassador and his wife pose with the Ibero-American Secretary General, Andrés Allamand.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_93913" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-93913 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mexico-recepcion-Embajador-Ordaz.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> Quirino Ordaz talks with the Secretary of State for Ibero-America, Susana Sumelzo.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_93915" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-93915 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mexico-recepcion-Serbia.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="421" /> The Serbian ambassador (right) with the new ambassador of Andorra.[/caption] [caption id="attachment_93908" align="alignnone" width="750"]<img class="wp-image-93908 size-full" src="https://thediplomatinspain.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Mexico-recepcion-cantante.jpg" alt="" width="750" height="422" /> A mariachi band provided entertainment for the evening.[/caption]
