Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit this week formally welcomed José María Fernández López de Turiso as Spain’s new Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to Dominica. The ambassador presented his credentials to President Sylvanie Burton, marking a renewed commitment to strengthen ties between Roseau and Madrid.
The ceremony highlighted Dominica’s pursuit of becoming the world’s first climate-resilient nation, a vision that continues to attract global attention. Spain, recognized as one of the top 15 economies in the world and currently the fastest growing within the European Union, has expressed interest in forging practical partnerships to support Dominica’s development. Areas identified for collaboration include tourism, renewable energy, water management, transportation, agriculture, and infrastructure, sectors where Spain has built international leadership.
Ambassador López de Turiso also emphasized Spain’s strong cultural and linguistic influence, with over 600 million native speakers worldwide. He noted that language, innovation, and cultural exchange remain powerful avenues for deepening Spain’s role in Dominica and the wider Caribbean.
President Burton acknowledged Spain’s longstanding partnership with CARICOM and pointed to the country’s contribution as the largest donor to the United Nations Joint Sustainable Development Goals Fund. She emphasized the importance of Spain’s multilateral role in supporting small island developing states as they confront climate change, external shocks, and economic vulnerability.
The government views the new ambassadorial appointment as an opportunity to expand avenues of cooperation that have spanned more than four decades. With Spain’s track record in development cooperation and Dominica’s clear national priorities, both sides appear aligned on advancing sustainable growth, resilience, and regional solidarity.
This new phase of engagement sets the stage for broader cooperation, ensuring that Spain and Dominica continue to build a partnership rooted in innovation, resilience, and shared prosperity.
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