Islamabad - Ambassador of Argentine Rodolfo Martin Saravia has been in Islamabad for the last 11 years and is the senior most ambassador in the federal capital. He holds the position of the dean of the diplomatic corps.
Rodolfo is an authority on Pakistan and can guide and brief every incoming ambassador about Pakistan, its culture, politics, trade, art, challenges and opportunities. He has made a lot of friends in Pakistani society and because of that his receptions are always worth attending where you can meet Pakistanis from all segments of society. It is the duty of dean of the diplomatic corps to host reception on ambassadors’ departure and introduce new ambassadors with the diplomatic community and the Pakistani society.
Presently German, Spanish, Danish, Belgian, Polish, Czech and Italian ambassadors from the European community are leaving during the next few days from Islamabad. Rodolfo planned to host a farewell Iftar dinner to bid farewell to German Ambassador Cyrill Nunn, Danish Ambassador Jesper Mollen Sorenson and Polish Ambassador Andrzej Ananicz the other day at his residence. President Mamnoon Hussain had also invited the diplomatic corps for Iftar dinner on the same day and time so Rodolfo was left with no option but to shift his event at 3:00pm and due to the new timings, the Polish ambassador was not able to attend it as he was having his appointment with a doctor in Rawalpindi for his final medical check-up. The Polish ambassador was seriously injured in the Gilgit helicopter tragedy in which three ambassadors also died.
Rodolfo also introduced the two new envoys to the participants. High Commissioner of Australia Margaret Anne Adamson has recently arrived in Islamabad. She is a seasoned, careful and intellectual diplomat. She informed this scribe that she has served as an ambassador in Poland and Cambodia. She was very conscious that she has not yet presented his credentials to the president. The new Ambassador of Holy See Archbishop Ghaleb Bader was also introduced by Saravia. He possesses a dynamic and active personality. He loves to meet and interact with the people.
Danish Ambassador Jesper Mollen Sorenson has revolutionised the relations between Pakistan and Denmark. There were some misunderstandings between the two people but Jesper focused his public diplomacy and made a lot of friends in Pakistan by his loving and sincere personality. He visited the whole Pakistan and opened his house for the business community of Pakistan to foster the bond of friendship. During his tenure two big power plants in Sindh and South Punjab were installed which reflect Danish government’s support to Pakistan to overcome energy crisis. Jesper will hold an important position at his foreign office in Copenhagen as the head of the political department.
German Ambassador Cyrill Nunn has completed his three years in Islamabad. He was a linguistic with knowledge of major European languages. He has a great knowledge of the world history but at the same time he was an active ambassador who contributed to develop the economical and trade relations between the two countries.
Polish Ambassador Andrzej Ananicz was not present as he could not make the adjustment with the new time. Andrzej is also expert of Persian language and culture. He also served in Iran as the ambassador of Poland. His untimely departure is a setback for the growing relations between Pakistan and Poland. During his tenure the polish oil companies discovered great gas reservoirs in Pakistan which were yet to be supplied to the Pakistani consumers.
Ambassador of Argentine Rodolfo Martin Saravia highlighted the role and the contribution of the three outgoing ambassadors in his speech. He spoke about their personalities and their achievements in Islamabad during their stay. Saravia while speaking about the Danish ambassador said, “When Jesper visited me after his arrival, I suggested him to get to know the country and the people. He did far more than I could have expected and in his two years stay he has travelled and seen more of Pakistan than I have in my 11 years.”
Jesper Sorenson in his speech spoke about the importance of Pakistan and said that Pakistan is an important country not only in the region but also in the world. He further elaborated that anything which happens in Pakistan not only affects the region but also the whole world. So it is our duty to support Pakistan to bring peace and stability.
German Ambassador Nunn in his farewell remarks said that he will never forget the beauty of Islamabad with Margalla hills and the flowers in his lawn. He appreciated the Pakistani hospitality and friendly attitude to his country.
The dean offered the outgoing ambassadors a Pakistani handicraft.
—The writer is a freelance contributor.