HIBAPRESS
The Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, held a series of talks on Thursday in Barcelona with a number of senior Catalan officials, focusing on strengthening cooperation and exploring new prospects for partnership between the Kingdom and Catalonia.
During a meeting held at the Government Palace, Benyaich held talks with the President of the Catalan government, Salvador Illa, which addressed ways to consolidate relations with Morocco, particularly in the fields of economy, investment, and culture.
The Ambassador also discussed with the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, a number of issues of common interest, including decentralized cooperation initiatives and the possibilities of developing joint projects.
In a statement to the Moroccan News Agency, Benyaich explained that she had agreed with Catalan officials to organize a cultural and economic week dedicated to Morocco in the coming period, with the aim of highlighting the exchange and investment opportunities offered by the Kingdom, as well as introducing its rich cultural heritage.
The Moroccan ambassador also held talks with the representative of the central government in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto Gómez, which focused on strengthening cooperation between Morocco and Catalan institutions, in a context that recognizes a positive dynamic in Moroccan-Spanish relations.
On this occasion, Benyaich highlighted the strong Moroccan presence in Catalonia, which is home to the largest foreign community in the region, totaling 241,179 residents, praising their exemplary integration and their active contribution in various fields of society.
She affirmed the Kingdom's keenness to intensify its relations with the various Spanish regions, highlighting that the Moroccan community, which represents 16.7 percent of the total foreign population in Catalonia, plays a pivotal role in bringing the two sides closer.
She also highlighted the prominent role of women within Moroccan diplomacy, and the special care that His Majesty King Mohammed VI gives to promoting the status of women in decision-making positions, noting that in Catalonia, three women manage the Kingdom's consulates, embodying Morocco's actual commitment to the principles of equality and valuing female competencies.
(MAP)
