Gert Grobler                                             

SOUTH AFRICAN AMBASSADOR TO SPAIN*

conversations with Craig Peetz

What are your priorities and objectives as our Ambassador to Spain?

As the Department of Foreign Affairs, we are committed to promoting South Africa’s national interests and values abroad, the African Renaissance and a better world for all. In South Africa we have made tremendous progress since our first democratic elections in 1994. This covered both our domestic as well as our international efforts. As South Africa’s foreign policy is naturally an extension of our domestic policies, the key objectives and priorities of the Department of Foreign Affairs is to build a better life for all our people in South Africa, in support of the President’s policies. The priorities of the South African Embassy in Spain is therefore to actively improve the relations between South Africa and Spain, to enhance South Africa’s image and to vigorously promote South African exports to Spain, encourage foreign direct investment from Spain to South Africa and to promote tourism from Spain in endeavour to create economic growth and jobs in South Africa. I am pleased to state that we have made good progress in achieving our objectives and wish to add that the bilateral relationship between South Africa and Spain is excellent, with tremendous potential for further expansion.

Spain is no stranger to terrorism - how would you describe the relationship between Spain and the United States of America?

Spain has indeed suffered greatly from acts of terrorism, inter alia by ETA over the years as well as the tragic Madrid bombings in March 2004. From my perspective the relationship between Spain and the USA is good with increasing co-operation on many critical areas, such as international terrorism. 

What is Spain’s long-term solution to the Basque Separatist issue?

This is a very complex domestic issue which I would not like to dwell on, save to say that the Spanish Parliament passed a motion introduced by the governing Socialist Peoples Workers Party of Prime Minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero in May 2005, whereby the government would pursue a policy of dialogue with ETA if the group agreed to disarm and reject violence. Prime Minister Zapatero stands ready to implement this policy. (Subsequent to this interview, ETA declared a ceasefire.)  

How active and effective is Spain in African affairs?

Although the major focus of Spain has been on North Africa in the past, given the proximity of the area to Spain, the Spanish government and in particular the government of Prime Minister Zapatero has stated unequivocally that Spain wishes to actively expand its political and economic relations with “Sub-Sahara Africa”. In fact, the Zapatero government has announced a drastic increase in funding for development assistance, which will also increasingly benefit poorer countries in Africa. In SADC Spain has good relations with countries like Angola, Mozambique and Namibia and co-operate closely in a number of sectors, inter alia health, education and fishing. Spain is also a strong supporter of the objectives of the African Union and NEPAD. In fact, Spain has a peacekeeping presence in a number of African countries. To summarise, I am confident that Spain is on the threshold of a more active and constructive involvement in Africa. The Embassy continues to engage the Spanish government on the African agenda on an ongoing basis, in keeping with South Africa’s vision of an African continent which is prosperous, peaceful, democratic, non-racial, non-sexist and united and which contributes to a world that is just and equitable. 

How is South Africa seen from a Spanish perspective and how seriously are our leaders considered in Europe?

It has not only been an honour, but also a pleasure to serve the government of President Mbeki in Spain. Particularly because there is widespread recognition and admiration in Spain, on all levels of society, for what South Africa has achieved since 1994. The leadership of President Mbeki is highly regarded in Spain, not only for the considerable domestic progress in South Africa, but also for his efforts to firmly establish South Africa as a positive force for peace, sustainable people-centred development and rules-based multilateralism in international affairs. South Africa’s constructive role in such continental and global initiatives such as conflict resolution on the African continent, the promotion of the AU and NEPAD, the pursuit of the Millennium Development Goals, the WSSD, the promotion of disarmament and the restriction of the proliferation of arms etc., have not gone unnoticed in this country.   

In this climate of co-operation, what fuels the relationship between Spain and SA?

Not only are Spain and South Africa sincere and earnest to actively promote closer bilateral relations, to mutual benefit, but Spain increasingly regards South Africa as a strategic partner in its growing endeavours to promote its relations with Africa. The Embassy not only actively promotes closer political consultation and increased economic interaction between our two countries, but also encourages the Spanish government and private sector to explore economic opportunities presented on the continent in the context of NEPAD. Spain’s major foreign policy priorities are Europe, Latin America and the Mediterranean Basin which includes the Middle East, and in this context our leaders have held constructive political consultations which auger well for future political co-operation. There is, in fact, a very close convergence of views between the two governments on most foreign policy issues. 

In the economic field, both South Africa and Spain have healthy, growing economies which present a multitude of opportunities for importers and exporters, as well as for investors. The trade relations between Spain and South Africa are booming and are heavily in South Africa’s favour. South Africa’s exports to Spain has increased by three hundred per cent since 1995 and the total trade between the two countries amounted to approximately 1,7 bn euros in 2004.

As an example of practical things an Embassy can do to promote exports, I wish to refer to the initiative we took to arrange a South Africa Promotion Month in fifty stores of the reputable El Corte Ingles store chain throughout Spain. El Corte Ingles bought goods to the value of R70-million in South Africa for this promotion, which was a great success and has led to a situation where El Corte Ingles now imports South African goods on an ongoing basis. This will have a beneficial impact on our trade relations, apart from assisting to create jobs in South Africa.

It is also encouraging to note that Spanish companies are increasingly seeking investment opportunities in South Africa in sectors such as infrastructure, construction, automobile and agro food-processing. Major Spanish companies such as Acerinox and Dragados are currently looking at expanding their involvement in South Africa in view of the attractive opportunities presented as a result of the sound macro-economic management, positive regulatory environment, infrastructure etc. in South Africa.   

What tangible outcomes have there been to the bilateral agreements signed between South Africa and Spain 2½ years ago?

As mentioned before, bilateral ties between South Africa and Spain are very good. Over the last few years a number of additional bilateral agreements were signed and implemented. Inter alia the creation of annual political consultations with the involvement at senior level of all key government departments, agreements on co-operation in the following sectors were also signed and the Embassy is currently in the process of giving practical content to these agreements in the interest of creating a better life for all South Africa’s people: investment promotion and protection agreement, non-double taxation agreement, agreements on science and technology, cultural and tourism co-operation. In view of the similarities between South Africa and Spain in development issues, inter alia the gap between the growth and development levels of the various provinces in Spain, new areas of co-operation and consultation such as health, social development and agriculture have been identified and will be pursued.   

Diplomatic life conjures images of clandestine glamour and power. What kind of person is drawn to the diplomatic service and are the impressions at all accurate?

To serve one’s country and government abroad is indeed a great honour, apart from being a fascinating and enriching experience. It adds value to one’s life in the sense that one learns about new cultures, peoples and languages. It is also an extremely rewarding experience to serve the President, South Africa and all its people abroad at this juncture and to make an active contribution towards the creation of a better life for all South Africa’s people by, for instance, actively promoting South African exports to Spain, encouraging Spanish investment to South Africa and getting more Spanish tourists to visit our beautiful country. Working abroad is not always that glamorous, but rather hard work with long hours. What is required of a Foreign Affairs official is a strong sense of loyalty and commitment to the President, the government and South Africa as well as a preparedness for hard work, professionalism, excellence and the highest standard of  performance and service delivery to the President, the government and all South Africa’s people. One, of course, misses home terribly at times. I believe South Africa’s people are its greatest asset. I miss South Africa’s people, their warmth, their friendliness and our ubuntu. I also miss my home province, the Free State. I once said in an interview with an Afrikaans magazine: “Hoe kan mens ooit ‘n nonna-uil vir ‘n Londen straat verruil!”

In this culturally and historically rich country, how have you been influenced by your stay here?

Spain is indeed a fascinating and beautiful country with a very rich history and culture. It possesses unique cultural goods such as the Prado Art Museum in Madrid, the Gaudi Architecture in Barcelona, the amazing Alhambra in Granada which is a legacy of the Moorish influence, the Guggenheim Art Museum in Bilbao and many others. The geographical location of the Iberian Peninsular has made Spain a natural bridge between the cultures of Northern and Southern Europe, as well as Africa. The vicissitudes of its history turned Spain into a meeting place between the most diverse cultures. Because of this, Spain’s cultural legacy is extraordinary rich and diverse and its imprint of its vibrant and intense history is perceptible today. As mentioned before, there are many similarities between Spain and South Africa which facilitates closer consultation and co-operation between our two countries.  

Is tourism between our two countries reciprocal?

Spanish tourism to South Africa has shown consistent and rapid growth over the last decade as economic wealth creation in Spain increases and the Spanish discover the fascinating diversity and beauty of South Africa’s tourism product. Currently, approximately thirty five thousand Spanish visit South Africa per annum, not only for tourism, but also increasingly for business purposes. The Spanish national carrier, Iberia, currently has five direct flights between Madrid and Johannesburg per week, but is now contemplating increasing it to seven a week in view of the increasing demand. SAA currently does not fly to Madrid, but given the growing market, it may be an option in the future. An increasing number of South Africans are also visiting Spain. 

As mentioned, South Africa and Spain signed an agreement on tourism co-operation in 2003 and a number of concrete projects have been agreed upon, inter alia Spain is funding the South African Tourism Institute in Johannesburg and projects pertaining to “the training of trainers”, and Spanish language training for tour guides from the previously disadvantaged communities are on the cards. The Spanish are ardent soccer fans and it can be expected that a great number will be interested in visiting South Africa during the 2010 Soccer World Cup.  

Why should Spain be included in our travel plans?

As mentioned before Spain is a fascinating and enriching experience. It has a unique combination of “sun and sea tourism” and a diversified and very interesting cultural and historic tourism dimension. The Spanish people are generous and hospitable, the climate wonderful, the country beautiful and the food and wine excellent! 

Share with us your thoughts and impressions of the publication African Mirror?

African Mirror, as “A Proudly South African Company”, is making a constructive contribution towards portraying the positive role and constructive elements of South Africa within an African as well as a global context. Your contribution towards the promotion of a positive and accurate image of South Africa and Africa is appreciated. African Mirror, in my view, should increasingly focus on South Africa’s constructive role and “success stories”, for which it is widely respected abroad, in the following key strategic areas:

You are not new to this posting - when does your term end and what does the future hold?

I have been in this post since March 2002 and my term will probably end towards the middle of 2006. It will be a pleasure and honour to continue to serve the President and the Department of Foreign Affairs, in whatever post they deem it necessary.

*Since this interview, Ambassador Gert Grobler has taken up his new posting as Acting South African Deputy Director-General: Americas and Europe.