Princess Lalla Meryem Visits Queen Beatrix

Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands granted an audience to Princess Lalla Meryem of Morocco at the Paleis Huis ten Bosch on November 28th. The princess also attended a dinner and decoration ceremony. The following day, Princess Lalla Meryem visited the Al Maarif and Ibn Khaldoun Foundations in Amsterdam.

Photo: Frank van Beek

Stronger Moroccan Ties for Jordan's King and Queen

As part of the effort to bolster economic and foreign relations between Morocco and Jordan, King Abdullah II and Queen Rania began a three-day official visit to Morocco on Sunday at the invitation of King Mohammed VI. Abdullah and Mohammed discussed bilateral trade and economic relations along with regional, international and Arab issues including the peace process between Israelis and Palestinians.

In a joint statement released by the two monarchs, they reiterated the “the importance of benefiting from the Agadir Agreement to establish the Arab-Mediterranean free trade exchange zone as it is a major component for the joint Arab market and for Euro-Mediterranean Economic partnership and integrity” and “affirmed keenness of both sides to activate bilateral agreements in the economic and trade fields and sustain joint coordination on issues of concern to the Arab and Islamic nations.” Signed on February 25, 2004, the Agadir Agreement is a free trade agreement between Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia and Jordan. The agreement “commits the parties to removing substantially all tariffs on trade between them, and to intensifying economic cooperation notably in the field of harmonising their legislation with regard to standards and customs procedures.”

The Euro-Mediterranean Partnership, comprising of 25 European Union Member States and 10 Mediterranean Partners, was formed at Barcelona’s Euro-Mediterranean Conference in November 1995. At the same time, the Barcelona Declaration was adopted which encompassed political, security, economic, financial and social partnerships which included the “establishment of a Euro-Mediterranean Free Trade Area (EMFTA) by the target date of 2010.”

Besides discussing bilateral relations, the Jordanian king and queen toured several historical sites in the city of Marrakesh. Futhermore, Rania showed support for the cause of the "Al Bir Walihsane" charity organization when she united with Lalla Salma, wife of the Moroccan king, in the opening of the Dar El Bir Oua Lihsane expansion. The charity was established in 1983 with the main purpose of rehabilitating and training children from poverty stricken families.

As the visit concluded, three agreements were signed “to boost cooperation between the two countries in the areas of competitiveness, exports’ enhancement and the building of joint megaprojects.”

Photos: Associated Press and REUTERS/Abdeljalil Bounhar

Ceuta And Melilla Warmly Receive the Spanish King and Queen

Even though it miffed the king of Morocco, King Juan Carlos and Queen Sofía of Spain visited the two Spanish towns of Ceuta and Melilla which are located in Moroccan territority on November 5th and 6th. The king was presented with a golden key by the city of Melilla and warmly welcomed by the citizens of both towns.

Before the restoration of the Spanish monarchy, Juan Carlos and Sofía had traveled to the disputed enclaves in the early 1970’s. It was in 1927 that the last Spanish monarch, Alfonso XIII, appeared in Ceuta and Melilla. Despite the long absence since his last call, Juan Carlos said, “I could wait no longer without coming to express our affection and support.”

Meanwhile, King Mohammed VI inveighed against the king's visit and counteracted with a rare statement. “We emphatically condemn and strongly denounce such an unprecedented visit, a counterproductive step that hurt the deep patriotic feelings of the whole Moroccan people.”