Spanish Ambassador Manuel Hernandez Gamallo affirmed during a National Day celebration that relations with Kuwait are deep and solid, based on cultural affinities and people-to-people relations that are flourishing more than ever. The event, hosted by the Spanish embassy in Kuwait, drew senior officials including Deputy Foreign Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah and Undersecretary of the Ministry of Defense Sheikh Dr Abdullah Mishal Al-Sabah. According to the Kuwait News Agency, the ambassador highlighted recent progress including the Spanish-Kuwaiti Joint Economic Committee held in Kuwait last May, which convened operators from sectors tied to Kuwait’s Vision 2035 and has led to work on several new agreements. He expressed confidence that these steps will expand the role of Spanish firms in supporting the Gulf state’s progress and prosperity.
Kuwait and Spain established diplomatic relations in 1961 shortly after Kuwait’s independence, with the Spanish embassy opening in 1964, a milestone marked last year. The ambassador noted that mutual respect, friendship and ties between the two royal houses have reinforced this foundation across political, economic and cultural spheres. A Kuwait Times assessment found that the relationship remains excellent, with Spain viewing Kuwait as a moderate force for regional stability and a major humanitarian contributor on issues from Gaza to Africa.
Nearly 50,000 people traveled from Kuwait to Spain this year, building on figures that reached 48,500 in 2024, the ambassador said in remarks distributed by the Kuwait News Agency. Spain has long ranked as a preferred destination for Kuwaiti travelers, who were among the first to popularize spots such as Marbella, and simplified Schengen visa regulations have eased procedures further. The embassy processed more than 31,000 visa applications in late 2024, over half from Kuwaiti citizens, according to data cited in Times Kuwait coverage of the ambassador’s interview.
Academic cooperation has also expanded, with Kuwaiti authorities recognizing degrees from 45 Spanish universities and granting excellence status to select programs at institutions in Madrid, Navarra and Barcelona. The ambassador encouraged more Kuwaiti students to pursue studies in Spain, where 96 public and private universities offer English-language bachelor’s and master’s degrees. Cultural events have multiplied, including concerts of Spanish music at the AlQurain Festival, flamenco performances and a tribute to guitarist Paco de Lucía organized with Dar al Athar al Islamiya.
Around 450 Spaniards reside in Kuwait, contributing expertise in education, business, health, sports, energy and infrastructure, the ambassador noted. These residents form part of the broader people-to-people fabric that both sides see as a major asset. The embassy is preparing additional cultural programming, such as a chamber orchestra performance of classical Spanish music scheduled for early November, to further strengthen direct contacts between the societies.
Bilateral trade stands at nearly one billion euros annually when combining exports in both directions, with Spanish imports from Kuwait rising sharply in the first half of 2025. The ambassador pointed to opportunities in civil infrastructure, renewable energy, defense, food security and cybersecurity as priority areas for future collaboration. Spain looks forward to the next round of political consultations in Madrid and possible high-level visits that will sustain momentum across all fields of the partnership.
