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Moroccan FM Meets Montpellier Mayor to Bolster Bilateral Ties

Moroccan FM Meets Montpellier Mayor to Bolster Bilateral Ties

Maroc23-04-2025
Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita met on Tuesday in Rabat with Michaël Delafosse, Mayor of Montpellier, to discuss ways to deepen cooperation between Morocco and France, particularly at local and regional levels.
Following the meeting, Delafosse hailed the "centuries-old friendship" between Morocco and France, emphasizing the importance of fostering a partnership based on equal footing. 'We have much to learn from one another,' he said.
The mayor underscored the need to engage a wide range of actors—local authorities, academic institutions, and cultural and sports organizations—to strengthen student and researcher mobility and build lasting bridges between the two countries.
Delafosse reiterated Montpellier's support for France's position on Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and highlighted the city's commitment to sharing expertise with Moroccan counterparts—particularly the city of Fez, with which Montpellier is twinned—as Morocco prepares to co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup alongside Spain and Portugal.
He also praised the Moroccan community in France, and especially in Montpellier, describing it as a dynamic force contributing to bilateral ties across sectors.
MAP: 22 avril 2025
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