This workshop, which brought together Moroccan and Spanish municipalities, established the first evaluation of cooperation programs led by municipalities in both countries, highlighted successful experiences in this field, and strengthened the relationship between municipalities and provincial councils. The aim is to establish a joint roadmap to promote and strengthen the and other municipalities on both sides of the Strait of Gibraltar.
In workshop format and under the auspices of the Moroccan Association of Provincial Council Presidents (AMPCPP), this Spanish-Moroccan institutional conference will serve to learn first-hand some successful initiatives in the field of local cooperation as well as cooperation programs. Dew. Together with Moroccan cities such as Tangier, Tetouan, Al Hoceima and Nador, Malaga has been leading the city for more than 20 years and has received long-term financial support from the European Union through cross-border cooperation programmes.
The Mayor of Malaga, Francisco de la Torre Prados, will present to the Moroccan hosts in Rabat the summary of 25 years of cooperation between the city of Malaga and the cities of the Kingdom of Morocco. In fact, Malaga is a Spanish city that leads the way in its achievements. Decentralized cooperation with neighboring countries is not limited to signing agreements.For more than 20 years, always with the support of the European Union, we have built a network of cooperation with cities in the north and south of Morocco, developing several cities. succeeded in doing so. The project enabled the implementation of activities in several priority areas of the municipality, including improving municipal governance, promoting entrepreneurship, revitalizing the local economy, and restoring and enhancing the architectural heritage. .
Proof of this leadership of the city of Malaga are the historic events that took place in this city in 2019, in which 30 mayors of Moroccan cities as important as Fez or Agadir and 33 of Moroccan local bodies Delegates signed a document expressing support for the City of Malaga. The Malaga government has called on the two governments and the European Union to launch a new cross-border cooperation program.
In recent years, we have witnessed a proliferation of decentralized cooperation meetings and initiatives between Spain and Morocco, thanks to the initiative of another reference institution, the Regional Government of Andalusia. The Regional Government of Andalusia, through the Presidency and its International Cooperation Department, has managed to maintain and develop the relations between the Andalusian municipalities and those primarily in northern Morocco.
In Rabat, the Government of Andalusia’s Secretary-General for External Action, European Union and Cooperation, Enrique Milo Roche, will visit Japan to present the work his ministry is doing to further strengthen the Strait of Gibraltar.
The workshop will be attended by representatives of Andalusian associations as well as a large delegation of Canary Islands municipal representatives led by the President of the Federation of Canary Islands Municipalities (FECAM) and Candelaria Mayor María Concepción Brito. .
Nourdin Mouati, who coordinates several cooperation programs for both countries and who will stimulate the discussion on the future of decentralized cooperation between Spain and Morocco at the Rabat workshop, said:
We hope that this meeting will be attended by elected officials from both countries who stand out and strongly believe in the global strategic partnership between our countries and who, as we have already shown in the past, are willing to participate. Very relevant if you think about it. In strengthening the institutional, cultural and economic ties that unite the twin nations…the central governments of both countries would do well to involve local bodies in bilateral meetings and provide joint financing for the projects pursued. Establishing a framework is more necessary than ever. By local governments in both countries.
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