Albares thanks Arabic students for support in defending Casa Árabe

PRESS RELEASE 126

Albares thanks Arabic students for support in defending Casa Árabe

The Minister highlighted the vital role played by the Arabic Language Centre in teaching the language as a unifying force that facilitates cultural exchange

T​he Minister for Foreign Affairs, the European Union and Cooperation, José Manuel Albares, met on Tuesday 28 July with a group of students from Casa Árabe in response to concerns raised by Mayor Almeida's announcement regarding the eviction of Casa Árabe from the premises where it has been based for the past 20 years. During the meeting, they discussed the future of Arabic language teaching at the institution.

Minister Albares expressed his gratitude for the students' support for the institution and emphasised that "their mobilisation is a sign of a healthy and active civil society, one that cares about what is happening in our country and wants Spain and Madrid to remain what they are: open, pluralistic and democratic". The Spanish Minister also stressed that "the Spanish Government and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs are working to find solutions for all those affected".

Furthermore, the Minister held a telephone conversation yesterday with Mayor Almeida, to whom he reiterated what he had previously conveyed in a letter: an offer to engage in dialogue and resolve the situation, a proposal for a meeting between the two of them, and he conveyed the unease and surprise that this unilateral decision has caused amongst the Arab ambassadors resident in Madrid, the Arabic students at Casa Árabe, Spanish and international intellectuals, and numerous citizens of Madrid who have been enjoying the activities of Casa Árabe for the past 20 years.

During the conversation, the Minister pointed out to the mayor that this decision is incomprehensible to the Governments and societies of our Arab friends - with whom Spain enjoys the best relations in its history - and that it causes serious damage to foreign policy, Spain's international image and Madrid's international standing. Albares also conveyed to the mayor the unease felt by students at not knowing where they would be able to attend their courses in the coming academic year, and mentioned the forthcoming meeting he was due to hold on Tuesday 28 July.

The conversation, which remained cordial and constructive throughout, concluded with an agreement to continue the dialogue between the two parties and at a technical level, with a view to keeping Casa Árabe at its current premises.

Against this backdrop, last week the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Madrid sent a letter to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs expressing its support for the work of Casa Árabe and its preference for the organisation to remain at its current premises, whilst praising the work carried out by the Ministry in recent years. Subsequently, on Thursday 23 July, Mr Albares met with the Arab ambassadors to discuss the current situation and the need to ensure that Casa Árabe can continue to carry out its work. Casa Árabe is an irreplaceable asset for promoting Spain's image in Arab countries and an institution that strengthens Spain's international relations with countries in the region.

Nevertheless, the Arabic Language Centre​ enables all Spaniards and residents of Madrid to access Arabic language tuition as a unifying force that facilitates cultural exchange and engagement with the Arab world.

For images, click here​.

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