Good evening dear friends, it is a pleasure for me to be here at the

Palabras del Embajador Jorge Castro-Valle K. en el evento cultural mexicano en la
Universidad de Liechtenstein
Vaduz, 5 de junio de 2014
Good evening dear friends, it is a pleasure for me to be here at the University of
Liechtenstein this evening.
This is going to be a tri-lingual speech. Allow me first to say a few words in Spanish,
my mother tongue, followed by some in German, the official language of
Liechtenstein, and then I will continue in English, the modern lingua franca.
Buenas tardes a todos mis compatriotas y amigos de México que hablan español.
Me da mucho gusto estar con ustedes y les agradezco sinceramente su presencia
en esta actividad cultural mexicana en la Universidad de Liechtenstein.
Guten Abend, liebe Freunde Mexikos. Es ist mir als Botschafter meines Landes eine
Ehre heute Abend bei dieser mexikanischen Kulturveranstaltung an der Universität
Liechtenstein zu sein. Ich danke Ihnen herzlichst für Ihre Anwesenheit und auch für
Ihr Interesse an Mexiko. Ich hoffe, dass Sie den Dokumentarfilm über Diego Rivera
und seine Zeit interessant fanden und dass Sie die Fotografie-Ausstellung von
Gabriel Figueroa geniessen, genauso wie die Köstlichkeiten aus der mexikanischen
Küche.
Ladies and gentlemen,
First and foremost, I would like to thank each and everyone who made today´s event
possible.
Mein herzlicher Dank gilt an erster Stelle der Universität Liechtenstein, dem Institut
für Architektur und Raumentwicklung und dem Bereich Zentrale Dienste. Besonders
möchte ich mich bei Herrn Rektor Klaus Naescher, bei Direktor Hugo Dworzac und
bei Professor Hansjoerg Hilti für Ihre Unterstützung bedanken.
Ich weiss auch die Rolle des Ministeriums für Äusseres, Bildung und Kultur der
Regierung Liechtenstein zu schätzen und begrüsse Herrn Generalsekretär René
Schierscher. Vielen Dank, muchas gracias, für Ihre Anwesenheit heute Abend.
Un agradecimiento especial merecen Mundo Latino por el entusiasmo con el que
acogió esta iniciativa de promoción de la cultura mexicana, así como los estudiantes
mexicanos de la Universidad que le brindaron su valioso apoyo.
Last but not least, möchte ich das besondere Engagement von meiner geschätzten
Landsmännin Gabriela Cortés würdigen, die zusammen mit Ihren Kollegen,
Professor Alberto Alessi und Cornelia Faisst, diese kulturelle Präsentation Mexikos
an der Universität Liechtenstein ermöglicht hat. Muchas gracias a todos!
Dear friends,
Mexico and Liechtenstein commemorate this year the 20 th anniversary of the
establishment of diplomatic relations. In these two decades, our countries have
developed a cordial and respectful relationship with emphasis on multilateral
cooperation in selected areas of the global agenda as well as on bilateral economic,
cultural and academic issues.
In these last 18 months since Enrique Peña Nieto was inaugurated as President of
Mexico, a new momentum has characterized our relationship. Since the beginning of
my diplomatic mission less than a year ago, I have visited the Principality already 5
times and will be back in 10 days to attend the Information Event for Ambassadors
organized by the government of Liechtenstein. This is, undoubtedly, a new record in
our diplomatic history, which demonstrates Mexico´s as well as my own personal
commitment to the strengthening of our bilateral partnership.
In April of last year, we concluded an important agreement on exchange of financial
and fiscal information and, at the beginning of this year, Mexico opened its first-ever
Honorary Consulate in Vaduz.
Ich freue mich über die Anwesenheit unseres
Honorarkonsuls Rolando Wyss und bedanke mich sehr herzlich bei ihm für seine
Unterstützung und sein Engagement für Mexiko.
I would now like to turn to two subjects that are of special interest to me in the context
of our bilateral relationship with Liechtenstein: cultural promotion and academic
exchanges.
In modern Mexico, we are extremely proud of the diverse cultural heritage of our
nation, dating back thousands of years, combining our ancient indigenous roots with
our colonial legacy. We enjoy sharing it with our foreign friends because of our
conviction that there is no better way to foster understanding among nations than
through culture.
Cultural promotion –exercising Mexico’s “soft power”- is therefore one of the highest
priorities of Mexican foreign policy and also of the work of the Embassy to
Switzerland and Liechtenstein.
When it comes to Mexican 20th--century art, no names are better known world-wide
than the legendary couple of Frida Kahlo and Diego Rivera, both for their artistic
genius as well as for their tempestuous relationship. On the other hand, Mexican
films have had a long tradition of excellence winning international awards all over the
world. And in the art of cinematography, no one has projected the image of Mexico
around the globe with more aesthetic beauty than Gabriel Figueroa, also known as
“the fourth Muralist” along with Rivera, Siqueiros and Orozco.
It is therefore very fitting that for this special celebration of our diplomatic relations,
this “kleine Kostprobe” of Mexican culture in Liechtenstein be dedicated to these
great artists. I promise to do my utmost to bring further samples of the vast cultural
heritage of Mexico to this beautiful country.
In the field of academic exchanges, another of the priorities in our bilateral
cooperation, the University of Liechtenstein has become a valuable partner for
several Mexican universities. Suffice it to mention the fruitful relationship that has
been established by the Institute of Architecture and Planning with partner institutions
in Mexico and the relatively large number of Mexican students who have benefitted
from their studies at this prestigious university.
I can assure you that you can count on the full support of my Embassy in our
common endeavor to further deepen this mutually beneficial partnership, an
authentic win-win situation for both countries.
Dear friends,
On this high note, I would like to conclude my remarks by reiterating my gratitude to
each and every one of you for your attendance this evening and your interest in
Mexico. Vielen Dank! Muchas gracias!
Allow me to propose a toast to friendship, understanding and cooperation between
Liechtenstein and Mexico on this happy 20th anniversary of our diplomatic relations.
Viva Liechtenstein y Viva México! Salud!