Jenniffer González-Colón drives discussion on the relation between the United States and Spain

Seeking to strengthen the existing ties between the United States and Spain, Resident Commiissioner Jenniffer González-Colón (R) of Puerto Rico, who serves as co-chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus, held a round table with ambassadors and members of Congress

“The United States and Spain share a historic past, Puerto Rico being a link between the two due to our cultural heritage, and our political present. The economic relation between the two countries translates in over a thousand US firms operating in Spain and over 83,000 employments generated in the United States by Spanish firms. Further, Spain is the third most popular destination for American students worldwide, with approximately 28,000 of them choosing to study in Spain every year. The diplomatic and national security relations are solid with Spain, both as a NATO member and as a host for American military forces at the Rota Naval Base and Moron Air Base in Spain. In sum, the relationship between the two countries can be expanded and must be preserved, and therefore we are having this round table today”, explained the Resident Commissioner.

This round table had as a preamble the five-day goodwill visit to the United States of their majesties King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain, which included stops in San Antonio and New Orleans to celebrate these American cities’ tricentennial and their Spanish heritage, as well as a final stay in our nation’s capital.

The Ambassador of the United States to the Kingdom of Spain and the Principality of Andorra, the Honorable Richard Duke Buchan III, the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Spain to the United States of America, his Excellency Pedro Morenes Eulate and the Co-Chair of the Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus, Representative Joseph Kennedy (D) of Massachusetts participated in the discussion.

Also, Representative Francis Rooney (R) of Florida, who was Ambassador of the United States to the Holy See, and is the vice-chair of the Committee on Foreign Affairs; Representative Pete Sessions (R) of Texas, chairman of the Committee on Rules; Representative Jeff Duncan (R) of South Carolina, member of the Committee on Energy and Commerce; and Representative Ed Royce (R) of California, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, were in attendance.

González-Colón was the moderator of the event and she had the opportunity to ask numerous questions regarding the cooperation between the two countries regarding security, especially regarding the fight against terror. Also, among other topics, she guided the discussion in the area of commercial relations and the enhancement of trade between the two countries.

The Congressional Friends of Spain Caucus was created during the 109th Congress by Resident Commissioner Luis Fortuño (R) and Representative Xavier Becerra (D) to enhance the discussions and collaboration between the United States and Spain. The caucus is a bipartisan group of members of Congress with a shared vision and interest in promoting and enhancing the bilateral relations between the United States and Spain focusing on issues of common interest such as trade, defense, security, and culture.