Morocco and Catalonia: Discussions to Enhance Bilateral Cooperation
On Thursday in Barcelona, Morocco’s Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, held a series of meetings with senior officials from the Catalan government aimed at strengthening cooperation and exploring new partnership opportunities between Morocco and Catalonia.
At the regional government headquarters, Benyaich met with the President of the Catalan Government, Salvador Illa. They discussed ways to enhance relations with Morocco, particularly in the economic, cultural, and investment sectors.
Benyaich also met with the Mayor of Barcelona, Jaume Collboni, where they addressed decentralized cooperation initiatives and the potential for developing joint projects between the Catalan capital and Moroccan institutions.
In a statement to the Maghreb Arab Press, Benyaich emphasized the agreement with Catalan officials to organize a “Morocco Week” soon, a cultural and economic event aimed at showcasing opportunities for exchange and investment, while highlighting Morocco’s rich cultural heritage.
The ambassador also discussed with the government representative in Catalonia, Carlos Prieto Gómez, ways to deepen cooperation between Morocco and Catalan institutions, in light of the growing positive relations between Morocco and Spain.
Benyaich highlighted the significant Moroccan community in Catalonia, the largest among foreign communities in the region with 241,179 residents. She praised their full integration and active contribution across various sectors of society.
She stressed Morocco’s commitment to expanding exchanges with all Spanish regions, noting the vital role played by the Moroccan community, which represents 16.7% of the foreign population, in fostering closer ties between the two countries.
The ambassador pointed out the prominent role of women in Moroccan diplomacy, illustrating King Mohammed VI’s special interest in empowering women in decision-making positions. She mentioned that three of Morocco’s consulates in Catalonia are managed by women, reflecting the Kingdom’s commitment to equality and promoting female leadership.
