public affairs ACTIVITIES
FEBRUARY 2010
Spanish naval vessel arrives in Haiti to provide
humanitarian assistance
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Food assistance to Haiti from the US |
Following the devastating earthquake in Haiti on January 12, the response to
help the people in Haiti has been truly global. Countries and organizations
from all over the world have sent people and resources to Haiti. President
Obama referred to this international response when he explained that the
U.S. is “working closely with our partners: the Haitian government, the
United Nations, and many organizations and nations from around the world… to
distribute aid quickly and safely.” Spanish Prime Minister Zapatero also
lauded international relief efforts, noting that the devastation in Haiti
“has moved us to offer up all our solidarity.” As a shining example of the
international nature of relief efforts, the Spanish naval vessel Castilla,
outfitted as a hospital ship, arrived in Petite Goave, 70km outside
Port-au-Prince, on February 4 with medical personnel, civil engineers, and
marines. The Castilla will be deployed in Haiti for three months to provide
humanitarian assistance.
ABC
La Razón
Ambassador Solomont meets with Spanish journalists and
emphasizes importance of U.S. partnership with Europe
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Ambassador Solomont with journalists |
Ambassador Solomont invited several Spanish journalists for coffee the
morning of February 4 to discuss U.S.-Spain bilateral relations. At the
meeting, the Ambassador reiterated that there is no more important partner
for the United States than Europe and that President Obama is committed to a
strong U.S.-EU partnership and partnership with Europe in general based on
our shared interests.
Ambassador Solomont hosts pre-screening of "The Road"
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Poster of the movie |
In collaboration with WIDE Pictures and Universal Pictures, Ambassador
Solomont and his wife, Susan, hosted a pre-screening of the movie “The Road”
on February 3. Based on the best-selling novel of the same name by Cormac
McCarthy and starring Viggo Mortensen, Robert Duvall, and Charlize Theron,
“The Road” is a post-apocalyptic tale of a man and his son trying to survive
by any means possible. The movie premieres in Spain on February 5.
The Road web page
Ambassador Solomont steps out in support of Solar
Decathlon Europe 2010
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Ambassador Solomont at Solar Decathlon Europe |
On February 2, Ambassador Alan D. Solomont attended the official press event
announcing the Solar Decathlon Europe that will be held in Madrid in June
2010. The Spanish Ministers of Housing, Science and Innovation, Industry,
Tourism, and Commerce as well as the mayor of Madrid, the Secretary of State
for Climate Change, and the Secretary-General for Universities all
participated in the event, as did Richard King, the Director of the Solar
Decathlon from the U.S. Department of Energy. The Solar Decathlon is an
international competition for universities from all over the world; the aim
is to advance knowledge on industrialized and sustainable homes, with a
particular emphasis on high efficiency and energy self-sufficiency.
Solar Decathlon Europe
JANUARY 2010
Ambassador Solomont hosts Spanish journalists for a
discussion of the State of the Union address
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Ambassador Solomont hosts leading journalists |
On January 28, Ambassador Solomont hosted a group of leading Spanish
columnists and opinion leaders for lunch at the embassy to watch President
Obama’s State of the Union address and discuss their initial reaction to the
speech. The Ambassador shared with the group his personal insight on Obama’s
words as well as on Obama the man, drawing from his close friendship with
the U.S. president. All the participants agreed that President Obama has
succeeded in improving the U.S. image both in Spain and in the world.
Ambassador Solomont and his wife welcome
Oscar-winning actor Morgan Freeman to Spain
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Ambassador Solomont and wife Susan with actor
Morgan Freeman |
Ambassador Alan D. Solomont and his wife, Susan, welcomed acclaimed actor
Morgan Freeman to their residence on January 27. The Oscar-winning actor
came to Madrid to promote the film “Invictus,” a story about rugby and the
end of apartheid in South Africa. In the film, directed by Clint Eastwood
and also featuring Matt Damon, Freeman portrays anti-apartheid activist and
former South African president Nelson Mandela. Freeman shared with the Ambassador and his wife
the challenges and rewards of playing such an emotionally-charged role.
Ambassador Alan D. Solomont meets with Spanish
Ambassador to Haiti, Juan Fernández Trigo
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Ambassador Solomont with Ambassador Juan Fernández |
Spanish Ambassador to Haiti, Juan Fernández Trigo, paid a courtesy call to
the U.S. Embassy on January 25 to meet with recently arrived U.S. Ambassador
to Spain and Andorra, Alan D. Solomont. During the meeting, the two
ambassadors discussed relief efforts in Haiti, and Ambassador Fernández
expressed his gratitude to the United States for facilitating his evacuation
following the tragic earthquake in Haiti of January 12.
Ambassador Solomont inaugurates Discover American
pavilion at FITUR
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Ambassador Solomont with Victor Muntané |
Ambassador Alan D. Solomont and his wife, Susan, inaugurated the Discover
America pavilion of the International Tourism Fair (FITUR) in Madrid on
January 20. In his remarks, Ambassador Solomont acknowledged the vital role
the tourism industry plays in the U.S. economy and thanked the American
FITUR participants for their dedication during these difficult economic
times. The ambassador also recognized the impressive performance of the
Spanish tourism sector. Ambassador Solomont presented Victor Muntané,
president of the Spanish Visit USA Committee, with the prestigious
Department of Commerce Certificate of Appreciation for Achievement in Trade
and thanked Mr. Muntané for his tremendous job in strengthening the image of
the United States as a premiere tourist destination. While at FITUR,
Ambassador Solomont and his wife also took the opportunity to visit the
pavilions of Puerto Rico and Castilla-León.
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security,
Janet Napolitano, participates in summit on airport security in Toledo
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Secretary Janet Napolitano |
Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security, Janet Napolitano, was in
Toledo January 21-22 to participate, at the personal invitation of Ministry
of Interior Alfredo Pérez Rubalcaba, in an EU summit on airport security.
Perhaps the most notable outcome of the summit was the redoubled commitment
on the part of both the U.S. and the EU to work together via strategy
coordinating and information sharing to combat global terrorism.
CNN Interview / EFE
/ Europa Press
/
Diario Vasco /
Cadena Ser
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs,
Dr. Philip Gordon, visits Spain
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Dr. Philip Gordon |
Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs, Dr. Philip Gordon,
came to Spain to participate in the EU Political Directors meeting in La
Granja on Friday, January 15. Assistant Secretary Gordon took the time to
sit down for an interview with El Mundo, during which he explained that the
U.S. and Europe need each other now more than ever in order to deal with the
global challenges of the day.
Video.
Ambassador Solomont Participates in Interview on RNE
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Ambassador Solomont and journalist Juan Ramón Lucas |
Marking the anniversary of President Obama´s first year in office, Radio
Nacional de España today aired its morning program “En días como hoy,” from
the U.S. Embassy in Madrid. Directed and anchored by well-known journalist
Juan Ramón Lucas, the entire six hours of the program were broadcast from an
impromptu studio set up in the Embassy´s Multi Purpose Room. Lucas took the
opportunity to interview
Ambassador Alan D. Solomont.
Ambassador Solomont Explains His Priorities to Spanish
Media
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Ambassador Alan D. Solomont |
In his first meeting with journalists, Ambassador Solomont explained the
three key points of his vision for his time in Spain: strengthen the already
close partnership between Spain and the U.S; project American values
effectively and thoroughly explain U.S. policy; and increase commercial
activity and promote investment between Spain and the U.S. in order to
create jobs in both countries. Ambassador Solomont emphasized the importance
of building on the friendly and strong relationship between Spain and the
U.S. in order to deal with global challenges and thanked Spain for its
contribution towards the stabilization of Afghanistan.
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