Concord has been the common tone during the state dinner that the Kings Don Felipe and Doña Letizia have offered this Wednesday to Gustavo Petro and his wife, Verónica Alcocer. After Petro spoke of the "Spanish yoke" hours before starting his state trip, today's day has been marked by the effort to underline what unites the two countries.
Thus, Felipe VI recalled in his speech that the relationship is "of brotherhood, of mutual respect and of enormous strategic interest", something that serves "for mutual benefit". The Monarch has affirmed that "Spain is very grateful to the Colombian community because it contributes daily to the development and prosperity of our country." And he has recognized "the great contribution" of Colombian citizens to Spain. He also recalled that 800 Spanish companies work in the country. Finally, he has announced that Queen Letizia will soon travel to Colombia "to learn about and support in situ" the Cooperation programs.
"The construction of peace has always been one of the pillars of the relationship between our countries", the King emphasized. Spain plays the role of observer within the peace process initiated by Petro, who aspires to reach an agreement with the guerrillas. The King recalled Spain's "commitment" to "support this agreement" at a time "especially important to achieve the desire that all Colombians share: the silence of arms."
The King has agreed on the idea of the need to fight together against climate change, which has been the focus of Petro's speech in Congress. In the same vein, Don Felipe has praised the work of the president "to address the energy transition and fight against the effect of climate change." Finally, he encouraged him "to continue on the path of harmony and brotherhood between our peoples."
Gustavo Petro has improvised a speech that has lasted 19 minutes in which he has asked to "examine the current phase" of the relationship between Latin America and Europe. And he has made a criticism of consumerism in a few words in which he has mixed philosophy with quite pessimistic theories about society: "Totalitarianism is going to stay in its diapers with what can happen," he opined. Also, he has warned about the danger of our becoming extinct. In the chapter on relations between Latin America and the world, Petro has assured that Europe "got used to the fact that Latin America delivered raw materials, there is not much difference with what happened five centuries ago, it is still unequal: Latin America has not industrialized Today we would have to create a new society where it cannot be established that one wins and the other loses. That world is over."
Around a hundred guests attended the dinner, who enjoyed a menu prepared by the Celler del Can Roca based on green salad, sea bass with Mediterranean flavors and cocoa beans. Despite the fact that the protocol called for a tailcoat for men, the entire Colombian delegation has dressed in a suit, although Petro has hung the necklace of the Order of Isabel la Católica.
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