AMCHAM: Mr. Ambassador, please introduce yourself and your career to our international audience.
Ambassador De Sicart Escoda: My name is Bernardo de Sicart Escoda, Spanish diplomat since 1985. Posts Africa (Equatorial Guinea and Algeria) and EU/Brussels before returning to Madrid (European matters). Deputy director Int’l Affairs Olympic Games Barcelona’92. Brussels/EU again and Home Ministry back to Spain.
- Cónsul General in Lima, Perú.
- Chief of Protocol of the State.
- Ambassador to Bern/Switzerland.
- Chief diplomatic Counsellor in the Office of the Prime Minister and
- Ambassador to Luxembourg during the last four years
How has your understanding of Luxembourg and its people changed during your tenure as Ambassador here in Luxembourg?
I had visited Luxembourg before, but just for working meetings. I got used to finding a very ‘accueillant’ ambiance but had no time to meet the people. During my stay here, I can confirm that Luxembourgers and residents are very ‘entrepreneurial’ and proactive.
How are Luxembourg’s values and ways of living like and different from Spanish values and ways of living?
Luxembourg’s values are very similar to the Spanish ones. Let’s not forget that we were together under the same Empire during the 16th and part of the 17th Centuries. Luxembourg offers a better quality of life than Spain cannot offer so far. The dimensions and parameters of both countries are quite different. That is what makes Luxembourg different from other countries within the EU.
What three or four experiences have made the most profound impression on you during your time in Luxembourg
- The vitality of the different companies that operate in the Country.
- The proactivity of those responsible for the Business societies and Industry.
- The responsibility and degree of engagement of the political Leaders –no matter
- their political positions— towards the future of the Country.
What advice do you give Spanish businesspersons and their families to help them settle and enjoy working and living in Luxembourg?
They should come here with an open and engaged attitude to work and help to create wealth. The Country shall pay back enormously to them.
What activities have you enjoyed engaging in to unwind from the stresses of your professional lives?
With any Cultural activities, Reading, visiting all kinds of Museums in the Country (good and unexpected surprises in some of them), running, walking, and enjoying the Moselle Wines.
Please introduce us to our favorite book and favorite piece of music.
Book : “La condition humaine” (André Malraux).
Music: “Ain’t no Mountain high enough” (Marvin Gaye / Tammi Terrell).
What is the next step in your career?
I am going to work in the Directorate for Consular matters in MADRID. I consider Consular affairs very interesting and demanding. I like to “deliver” and on Consular matters, one is always delivering.
What special memories will you take with you when you leave Luxembourg?
My best recollection of Luxembourg is the hospitality of Its people. I shall remember as well the ‘Joie de Vivre of its residents anytime. I will not forget the profound respect towards my person that Everybody showed during my four years staying in Luxembourg. I was always puzzled by the beauty of the landscape of the North of the Country in Autumn.
All the best to you all, dear Friends. ¡¡Hasta siempre!!
BERNARDO DE SICART ESCODA
AmCham would like to take this opportunity to thank H.E. Mr. BERNARDO DE SICART ESCODA for this interview and we wish him the very best in his next assignment.
