Josep Borrell, acting Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Union and Cooperation of the Spanish Government, today visited the Fundación Tres Culturas, an institution of which he highlighted its work as an instrument for promoting coexistence and understanding between citizens.
Josep Borrell recalled that, since the Foundation's beginnings, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has been closely linked to this institution and expressed his desire to strengthen this collaboration. "I hope that better times will allow the Ministry to once again be a diligent trustee that contributes to your work," he said.
The Minister travelled expressly to Seville from Rota (where he had taken part in another event) to visit the Foundation, an institution that is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and is considered a benchmark in Spanish public diplomacy. Josep Borrell had the opportunity to talk to the technicians and managers who work at Tres Culturas, who explained the different lines of action developed by the Foundation (international and cooperation projects, cultural and informative programming, academic activities, interreligious dialogue actions, etc.).
He also visited the different spaces housed in the headquarters of this institution (in the current Pavilion II, which was designed as the Moroccan Pavilion of Expo'92 in Seville), including the specialised library Fátima Mernissi, where he was presented with a copy of the restored edition of the Koran dating from the 13th century found in the town of Cútar in Malaga.
During his visit, the minister was also accompanied by authorities from the Andalusian Government, such as the Regional Minister of Culture and Historical Heritage, Patricia del Pozo, and the Deputy Regional Minister of the Presidency, Public Administration and the Interior, Antonio Sanz. Lucrecio Fernández, delegate of the Spanish Government in Andalusia, was also present.
Patricia del Pozo, who is also a trustee of the Fundación Tres Culturas, gave an emotional welcome to the minister, pointing out that "it is essential to have spaces like this, which promote actions in favour of coexistence, and to seek meeting points using education and culture".
The minister, who insisted that "Andalusia cannot be understood without Europe, nor Europe without Andalusia", stressed the need to work together "for a shared future of social justice, respect for diversity and coexistence".
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