During the credentials ceremony, the ambassador noted the close relationship of the two countries since establishment of diplomatic relations on May 11, 1992.
“We did not start from zero,” he noted, citing the “reunion” between two nations that have known each other and shared historical and cultural ties for over 500 years.
“The Spanish presence in Micronesia has remained all through these years,” Arias Romero said. “Many Spanish words have found their way into the languages spoken in your country, while tangible evidence like monuments and the remains of walls, church cemeteries, even a harbor, attest to the fact that our nations have known each other for so many years.”
The ambassador, who is also his country’s envoy to another former Spanish colony, the Philippines, made reference to the Spanish Program for Cultural Cooperation, a collaborative effort between the Ministry of Culture of Spain and the Insituto Cervantes in Manila.
The FSM joined the SPCC in 1999 after its Nov. 1997 establishment in Manila.
As a way of strengthening the close historical and cultural ties between Spain and the region, Arias Romero confirmed his intention to promote the aim of the program, to study, understand and preserve our common heritage.
Mori acknowledged the historical ties that the FSM and Spain share, many of which have shaped the identity of Micronesians today, including the introduction of Christianity to the region by Spanish Missionaries during the Spanish era in the 1500’s.
Mori told the ambassador that the FSM, as a small island developing nation, holds the issues of environment and sustainable development with great importance.
FSM would welcome any assistance from Spain at the bilateral level, as well as through the European Development Fund, Mori said.
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