Antonio Pérez-Hernández y Torra, Spanish ambassador: farewell to the Dominican Republic
The ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain, Antonio Pérez-Hernández y Torra , is concluding his diplomatic tenure in the country and is also retiring from the military. These are his farewell remarks, as heartfelt as his mission was commendable:
1. I thank the President and the First Lady for their kindness in joining us for this farewell . I wholeheartedly appreciate this gesture, which is also an expression of your affection for Spain. I will always remember the first time you came to this embassy and said to me, "Ambassador, I am not coming to a foreign embassy, but to my home."
2. In my 44 years in the Spanish foreign diplomatic service, I've lived and traveled to many countries, but I can assure you, "none like the Dominican Republic." I have had the immense fortune of completing my diplomatic career in this country.
Much of my professional career has been linked to Latin America . I served as ambassador to Nicaragua and Venezuela, and in the ministry, I served as Director General for Latin America and Director of Casa de América, but my time in this country has been very special.
3. After almost four years in this country, the same thing has happened to us as to all Spaniards who come here: we've become just another Dominican . I've always said that the Dominican Republic holds a very special fascination for Spaniards.
4. I greatly admire the Dominican people , but there is one virtue that stands out above all : their courtesy, good manners, and friendliness. If hospitality and kindness could be exported, the Dominican Republic would be a global superpower .
5. These virtues are also very important in international relations. In an increasingly turbulent and polarized world, the international community would benefit greatly if there were more countries like the Dominican Republic .
This country has managed to engage constructively and friendlyly on the international stage, forging consensus and building bridges. The " Dominican way " has become a benchmark for good practice.
Excellent bilateral relationship6. I also admire the enormous talent in this country: its doctors, its engineers, its architects, its artists, its professionals, and its entrepreneurial spirit.
7. And I cannot help but emphasize my admiration for the vitality of Dominican culture , of which my wife Pilar has become its most enthusiastic ambassador.
And I can assure you that in her capacity as president of the Reina Sofía Museum Foundation and the Queen Sofía Spanish Institute in New York , she will continue working to promote its dissemination and presence in Spain.
8. The relationship between our two countries is truly special . We are united by history and have developed close political, economic, social , and cultural ties.
I would like to thank the President for the support he has given to our bilateral relationship during his term, and I also want to highlight the support I have always received from Foreign Minister Roberto Álvarez and his entire team.
The Dominican Republic will always have in Spain a friendly country that appreciates, understands, and supports it. We deeply admire its political and social stability, its economic growth, and all this while preserving democracy and consolidating an admirable model of coexistence.
9. Being the ambassador of Spain to the Dominican Republic or of the Dominican Republic to Spain is the opposite of the same coin . There are no conflicts, but rather joint projects that benefit both countries.
In addition to a magnificent ambassador to Spain, Tony Raful , you can count on another honorary ambassador, Mr. President, to continue consolidating the positive image of the Dominican Republic in Spain.
10. If I have contributed "a little" to the strengthening of our relations, it has been possible thanks to the support and extraordinary work of my colleagues at the embassy and consulate, to whom I wish to express my deepest gratitude.
11. You don't say goodbye to friends until you say see you soon . Pilar and I are deeply grateful to this country for the way they have welcomed us.
- We've made many friends here, friendships we intend to maintain. We'll be back soon, and you'll know you have lifelong friends in Madrid. As someone once said, "Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened." What has happened to us in this country has been wonderful.
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