Miguel Moro: ‘The cultural and linguistic aspects are fundamental in Spain's relations with Arab countries and Saudi Arabia’
In an interview with Atalayar, the Director General of Casa Árabe highlights the important role of the Arabic language as a vehicle for Spain's relations with Arab countries
A career diplomat, Miguel José Moro Aguilar has extensive experience in the Arab world, thanks to his postings in Amman (Jordan), Baghdad (Iraq) and Tel Aviv (Israel). Between 2020 and 2024, he was Spain's ambassador to Kuwait and, until last February, he served as Ambassador on Special Mission to the Gulf countries.
Just over two months after his appointment as Director General of Casa Árabe, Moro Aguilar, together with the Saudi Arabian Ambassador and representatives of the King Salman Global Academy for the Arabic Language (KSGAAL), inaugurated the events commemorating Arabic Language Month.
How important are events like this for strengthening relations between Spain and Saudi Arabia?
Casa Árabe, which is part of the network of Houses of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has as its main purpose to establish and promote relations between Spain and the countries of the Arab world and with the Arab communities residing in our country. In this case, I believe that establishing this collaboration with the King Salman Global Academy of the Arabic Language is a wonderful initiative, strengthening both parties from a linguistic and cultural point of view. I consider it an honour and a privilege to have representatives from this Academy here in Madrid and to demonstrate this shared interest and approach to the teaching of the Arabic language.
There is no doubt that collaboration with important entities in a country where Arabic is the native language and with which we have excellent diplomatic relations is a happy coincidence. Having a secretary general and a number of collaborators who are establishing an agenda of initiatives for meetings with other universities and other entities, we are helping them to weave a network of relationships. There will also be activities in Granada and Cordoba, where Casa Árabe has another office. We are delighted to be able to collaborate in this way.
In your speech, you mentioned the close relationship between the two countries and their cultures.
Yes, I believe that relations with other Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, are very important, sometimes from a tourist, economic or even sporting point of view, but the cultural and linguistic aspects are fundamental. In my brief remarks earlier, I said that Arabic is an increasingly important language in the European Union and in Spain, and that the Arabic Language Centre run by Casa Árabe is also fulfilling a very important mission. It has been running for 14 years and is becoming increasingly successful, with online students, distance learners and students who come to the Casa, where they also have the opportunity to see all kinds of activities, exhibitions, films, seminars, discussions on the history of Al-Andalus or on relations, and any topic of interest relating to the Arab world.
We can therefore say that this type of initiative is very positive, helping to raise awareness of the Casa Árabe abroad. I believe that establishing this type of collaboration is also beneficial for deepening relations in both directions, which, as I said, are rich but sometimes need more nuance or depth.
Arabic is the second most spoken foreign language in Spain, after English. Does that give you an idea of the importance of this type of cultural exchange?
Arabic currently has a greater presence in Spain than other languages such as French, which was more prevalent years ago, or Italian. Arabic has been gaining ground in recent years. It should be remembered that, based on agreements signed in the 1950s and 1960s with Arab countries, a whole series of people came to Spain, including mixed marriages... I believe that there was a foundation, a pillar of this Arab community living in Spain that has grown and expanded over time, whether due to immigration, from an economic point of view, or even from the point of view of those who have fled certain conflicts in their countries of origin, such as Syria, Libya, etc. In this sense, it may be surprising, but there is no doubt that it has gained a lot in importance, and I believe that it is essential to pay attention to this language.
