Spanish Ambassador: We Appreciate Kuwaiti Media's Support for Our Embassy
Spanish Ambassador Manuel Hernandez Gamio emphasized the importance of partnership with Kuwaiti media, praising their support, and highlighted initiatives for stray animal care and correcting misinformation regarding the number of Kuwaiti tourists
Translated by Qiyas from النهار — Original source
The Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait, Manuel Hernández Gamio, emphasized the importance of partnership with the media and its role in enhancing communication and information exchange, commending the ongoing cooperation with journalists. This statement was made during a reception organized by the embassy to mark the upcoming Spanish National Day, which highlighted initiatives for caring for stray animals in Kuwait.
Speaking at the event, the ambassador noted, “This reception, held for the third time by the embassy, takes place in an informal atmosphere, aiming to meet with journalists and communicate with them away from the formal tone of press conferences.” He affirmed that he views media professionals as friends and partners in work.
He explained that the relationship between the embassy and the media is built on mutual cooperation, stating that diplomats rely on the information and inputs provided by the media, while the embassy, in turn, strives to provide information that assists journalists in performing their duties. He expressed his gratitude to Kuwaiti media outlets for their support of the Spanish Embassy and their coverage of its activities, reaffirming his commitment to responding to interview requests, although this is not always possible due to various circumstances or prior commitments.
He highlighted the importance of direct communication between journalists and embassy staff, introducing several members of his team present at the event, including the Deputy Ambassador, the Consul General, and the Commercial Attaché. He noted that each plays a crucial role in facilitating journalists’ access to information regarding consular, economic, and commercial affairs, as well as Kuwait-Spain relations. He clarified that the Commercial Attaché oversees files related to Spanish companies and businesses in Kuwait, as well as bilateral trade relations, urging journalists to utilize the embassy team as a source of information and to collaborate on various topics of interest to bilateral relations.
In a humanitarian context, the ambassador shed light on initiatives caring for stray animals in Kuwait, noting that the embassy previously hosted an event on this matter last May. He explained that this initiative was launched by his wife, with the personal sponsorship of a Spanish individual interested in charity work, before expanding into a network of volunteers and supporting organizations dedicated to helping stray animals, particularly dogs and cats. He pointed to the growing number of initiatives aimed at rescuing and caring for stray animals, including capturing them, providing necessary care, and returning them to their environment, as well as relocating some to temporary shelters for their welfare. He affirmed the embassy’s readiness to provide necessary information to media outlets wishing to highlight these initiatives, emphasizing the importance of supporting community and humanitarian efforts aimed at improving the conditions of stray animals in Kuwait.
Concluding his remarks, the Spanish Ambassador renewed his thanks to the journalists and media professionals for their attendance and continuous cooperation with the embassy, reaffirming the importance of sustained communication and partnership between both sides.
Spain receives 50,000 Kuwaiti tourists annually. In an interview published by “Al-Nahar” with the Spanish Ambassador to Kuwait, Manuel Hernández Gamio, one of the headlines stated that his country receives 1,000 Kuwaiti tourists annually. The correct figure is 50,000 per year; therefore, this clarification is necessary.
