Thursday 14 September 2023
The Spanish Ambassador to the United Kingdom, His Excellency José Pascual Marco Martínez, has visited Guernsey. This is the first time the Ambassador has come to the island and follows engagement with the Ambassador and his team in London.
During his time in Guernsey, the Ambassador met the President and other members of the Policy & Resources Committee, the Committee for the Environment & Infrastructure and the Committee for Economic Development. Meetings with politicians focussed on the island's current priorities, environmental initiatives and green finance, Guernsey's relationship with the EU, and the bilateral relationship with Spain including matters related to taxation. The Ambassador also met with industry representatives and local businesses who would like to improve links with Spain.
While in Guernsey the Ambassador laid a wreath at the Foreign Workers Memorial on the White Rock, to commemorate Spanish Republicans who were brought to Guernsey as forced labourers during the Second World War. The Ambassador also had the opportunity to visit the Island Archives to learn more about the Spanish Republicans who were on the island at that time and their experiences during that period.
President of the Policy & Resources Committee, Deputy Peter Ferbrache said:
"It was a privilege to meet the Spanish Ambassador, His Excellency José Pascual Marco Martínez, and a pleasure to welcome him to Guernsey for his first visit to the island. As Guernsey continues to develop its international identity and bilateral relations with EU Member States, this visit provided a timely opportunity for Guernsey to discuss a range of topics with the Ambassador that are priorities both for our island and for Spain, particularly as it currently holds the EU Council Presidency. The visit also enabled us to acknowledge the historic links that already bind our jurisdictions, through laying a wreath to commemorate the Spanish Republicans who were brought to our islands as forced labourers during the Second World War. I look forward to continuing to engage with His Excellency and his team at the Embassy in future as we continue to strengthen our bilateral relationship with Spain."
