Morocco-Portugal: Boosting Cooperation Dynamics.
Text: "Signing of a cooperation protocol between the urban municipality of Mechouar Kasbah of Marrakech and the municipality of Silves".

The urban municipality of Mechouar Kasbah of Marrakech and the municipality of Silves in the Algarve region of southern Portugal signed a cooperation protocol in Silves on Friday. This protocol aims to strengthen and diversify exchanges and partnerships.

Signed by the president of the urban municipality of Mechouar Kasbah, Mohamed Fouad Houri, and the president of the municipality of Silves, Maria Isabel Soares, in the presence of the Moroccan Ambassador to Portugal, Karima Benyaich, this protocol aims to strengthen cooperation between the two municipalities in various areas.

This cooperation includes exchanging experiences in modernizing municipal administration, environmental protection, promoting active social policies, boosting cultural exchanges, and developing economic cooperation.

Speaking on this occasion, Benyaich stressed the importance of further strengthening the strategic partnership between Morocco and Portugal to enable them to fully play their role as a lever for regional and international development and to meet the challenges of the modern world.

She also highlighted the excellent relations between Morocco and Portugal, privileged partners separated but united by the Atlantic and a shared destiny.

"Portugal is a privileged partner for Morocco, and we are determined to further boost our cooperation and seize all opportunities to make our relations a model of shared growth, a sustainable platform for investment, production, and export, open to its regional and international environment," Benyaich stressed.

Recalling the importance of decentralized cooperation in supporting the current dynamics of Portuguese-Moroccan relations, the diplomat affirmed that this "cooperation is called upon to become a reality that we must make more vibrant, tangible, and effective every day in promoting local development."

"In terms of our common aspirations for decentralized cooperation, a lever for local development, Silves and Marrakech have, since the signing of their Cooperation Protocol in March 2003, paved the way, set an example, and set the pace," said Benyaich.

Houri, for his part, stressed that this protocol, which covers several areas including political, cultural, economic, social, crafts, environmental protection, and the exchange of different experiences, will allow the two municipalities to benefit and boost local development dynamics.

Houri also mentioned the major structuring projects of the municipality, including the rehabilitation and upgrading of the Agdal gardens, the development of new tourist circuits linking the Saadian tombs and the Badai Palace, as well as the development of public squares, notably the historical square of the Al Mansour mosque.

For her part, Isabel Soares highlighted the good and intense relations between the cities of Marrakech and Silves, united by an unusual historical legacy, expressing her firm determination to work towards further strengthening the secular ties of friendship and cooperation between the two cities.

Soares stressed the interest of such an agreement, which places cooperation between the two municipalities in a perspective of mutual development and exchange to meet the expectations of both parties.

Those present at the signing ceremony included Abdellatif Miraoui, president of Al Kadi Ayyad University, Ouidad Tebbaa, dean of the Faculty of Letters and Human Sciences of this University, Joao Guerreiro, president of the University of the Algarve, José Alberto Alegria, Honorary Consul of Morocco in the Algarve, as well as members of the urban municipality of Mechouar Kasbah.

Parallel to the signing of this protocol, the Moroccan ambassador and officials and members of the two municipalities attended the opening of an exhibition by the artist Moulay Youssef El Kahfai.

Entitled "The Drawing of Words, Moulay Youssef El Kahfai meets Al Mouatamid Ibn Abbad," this exhibition revives the memory, life, and work of the poet king in the Algarve and Aghmat in Marrakech.

Published on July 23, 2011.

Posted online on July 24, 2011.


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