On Wednesday 30th\u00a0January the Spanish Chamber of Commerce held its annual New Year\u2019s Drinks Reception, the first corporate event of 2019. This year the event was held at the House of Lords, one of the two Houses of the UK Parliament, located in the outstanding Palace of Westminster; on the north bank of river Thames.<\/p>\n
On this occasion the event welcomed the Deputy Lord Speaker as its esteemed Guest of Honour, who was standing in for the Lord Speaker. The president of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in the UK, Mr. Eduardo Barrachina and the Minister of State for Global Spain, Ms. Irene Lozano, also gave speeches alongside the Lord Speaker. The Ambassador of Spain, H.E. Mr. Carlos Bastarreche was also in attendance.<\/p>\n\n
The event began with guests being welcomed with a glass of wine or cava upon arrival at the Cholmondeley Room and Terrace of the Palace. Everyone was then able to meet and network with each other over a delicious selection of freshly cut ib\u00e9rico ham and Spanish cheeses.<\/p>\n
After the first drinks it was time for the speeches. After beginning by thanking the Lord Speaker, the Chamber\u2019s President continued with a tribute to the 40th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the Spanish Constitution; referring to it as \u201cthe key factor for the economic and social progress made by Spanish society over the course of recent decades\u201d. \u00a0The president emphasised the importance of the political, social and economics relationships between the UK and Spain as well as highlighting the crucial role of institutions such as the Spanish Chamber of Commerce. \u201cUnder these ceilings, steeped in history, we the Spanish Chamber of Commerce reassure you of our commitment to Britain, to British society and to enhanced bilateral trading relations between the Kingdom of Spain and the United Kingdom\u201d.<\/p>\n Next, the Minister of State for Global Spain, Ms. Irene Lozano, began her impressive speech by stating that \u201cthe United Kingdom\u2019s hospitality has always attracted the best of Spanish innovation to establish its base here, from high-speed railways to telecommunications, finance, construction and renewable energy\u201d.\u00a0The minister highlighted the relevance of the Spanish community living in the UK \u201cof which my government is extremely proud\u201d. Regarding the current political situation that the UK is experiencing, Ms. Lozano commented that she firmly believes \u201cthat Spain and the UK must continue to work hand by hand in the international fora, in Europe and elsewhere\u201d.<\/p>\n Following the speeches, our guests continued to network with each other and establish new connections.<\/p>\n We would like to sincerely thank our Patrons\u00a0Codorn\u00edu Ravent\u00f3s<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Ib\u00e9rica<\/a>\u00a0for providing the generous and curated selection of cava and ib\u00e9rico ham and to our members\u00a0Hispania\u00a0<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Hacienda Villarta<\/a>\u00a0for their contribution of the variety of cheeses and red and white wines which were served during the reception.<\/p>\n