Latest news with #Delafosse
Morocco World
14-05-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Morocco Inaugurates New Consulate Building in Montpellier
Doha – Morocco inaugurated its new consulate building in Montpellier on Monday. The ceremony took place in the presence of Morocco's Ambassador to France Samira Sitail, Montpellier Mayor Michaël Delafosse, and Hérault Prefect François-Xavier Lauch. The new facility spans 850 square meters across three floors. It includes twenty offices, two meeting rooms, archive spaces, reception areas, and parking facilities accessible to people with reduced mobility. The building was acquired in November 2024 and has since gone through major renovations. The consulate serves approximately 200,000 Moroccan citizens residing in six southern French departments. These include Hérault, Gard, Ardèche, Aveyron, Pyrénées-Orientales, and Lozère. About 160 people visit the consulate daily. 'This building is a modern proximity tool, designed to welcome our citizens with dignity and strengthen human, cultural, and economic ties with France, in accordance with Royal Guidelines,' said Ambassador Sitail during the ceremony. The new premises feature Moroccan architectural elements on the façade. The interior decoration reflects Morocco's cultural identity, creating a functional, yet warm environment. Consul General Soumia Bouhamidi described the building as embodying 'the soul of Morocco.' She called it 'a bridge between shores, a hand extended to all those who carry love for our Morocco in their hearts.' The inauguration comes just two weeks after Montpellier Mayor Delafosse's official visit to Morocco. During his trip, he met with Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and Investment Minister Mohamed Zidane. He also led a delegation to Dakhla on April 26 to explore business opportunities in the southern region. In Dakhla, Delafosse and his team learned about major development projects and discussed a forthcoming cooperation agreement focusing on water sports, cultural exchange, and sustainable energy projects. The delegation toured the construction site of Dakhla Atlantic Port and the future site of MGH Energie, a company specializing in green hydrogen. At the inauguration ceremony, the mayor expressed his appreciation for Morocco's remarkable development dynamics and structural projects. The mayor said that the North African country is positioning itself as a 'key player' in strategic fields like renewable energies and green hydrogen, which are 'sources of inspiration' for Montpellier's public policies. The consulate's relocation from Figuerolles to Parc 2000 in La Paillade represents a 'qualitative leap' in services. 'The previous conditions were no longer favorable. We are raising the level of reception and services,' Ambassador Sitail noted. State representative Lauch also celebrated the Franco-Moroccan friendship, which 'lives, renews itself, and is built on constant exchanges and shared trust between our institutions.' He described the new consular building as 'a living bridge between two shores.' The Moroccan consulate in Montpellier is one of 17 Moroccan consular representations in France. It employs about 30 staff, including diplomats and local employees. The consulate is now located at 265 rue Maurice Béjart in Parc 2000 and is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The ceremony concluded with a reception featuring Moroccan flavors and traditional music. The event attracted over 200 guests, including CCI President André Deljarry, Sète Port President Philippe Malagola, and former Port President Jean-Claude Gayssot. This inauguration takes place amid improving relations between France and Morocco, particularly after France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara. 'We call each other to develop projects. It's a stimulating relationship, a growing relationship,' added Lauch. According to local officials, Montpellier hosts approximately 4,000 Moroccan students out of the 28,000 Moroccan citizens in Hérault. Outside Paris, Montpellier is the top destination for Moroccan students in France. Read also: Western Sahara: France's AFD to Invest €150 Million in Morocco's Southern Provinces Tags: MontpellierMoroccan consulateMorocco France Relations
Morocco World
26-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
French Delegation Visits Dakhla to Explore Business Opportunities, Strengthen Cooperation
Rabat – A French delegation, led by the Mayor of Montpellier Michael Delafosse, visited the southern Moroccan city of Dakhla on Friday to explore business opportunities and discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two regions. During the visit, the French delegation learned about major development projects and discovered the economic potential of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region. The visit also focused on plans to boost cooperation between the city of Dakhla and Montpellier, with a cooperation and friendship agreement expected to be signed soon. Speaking to the press, Delafosse commended the development of the region under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. He said that the long-standing relations between Morocco and France are gaining new momentum, driven by the shared commitment of the two countries' leaders. He added that local governments and economic, cultural, and sports actors will help strengthen this cooperation even further. Delafosse announced that the upcoming agreement will focus on supporting water sports, promoting cultural exchange through festivals, and encouraging sustainable economic projects, especially in renewable energy. Meanwhile, the President of Dakhla's local council, Erragheb Hormatallah, said that the visit aims to build strong, practical ties between the two cities. He added that the cooperation agreement is part of a broader effort to deepen bilateral relations, especially after France's recognition of Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara region. Morocco-France relations gained new momentum after French President Emmanuel Macron announced his country's support for Morocco's sovereignty over Western Sahara, as well as endorsed its Autonomy Plan. During their stay, the French delegation held meetings with senior officials, including the Secretary-General of the Dakhla-Oued Eddahab region, Abdelrazzak El Kourji, and Vice President of the Regional Council, Moulay Boutal El M'Barki, as well as Monir El Houari, Director of the Regional Investment Center. The delegation was informed about the region's development in different sectors and ongoing major infrastructure projects aimed at connecting the region and boosting its potential. They also explored investment opportunities and the incentives available for investors. As part of the visit, the delegation toured several important sites, including the construction site of Dakhla Atlantic Port, the Higher Institute of Audiovisual and Cinema Professions, and the future site of MGH Energie, a company specializing in green energy and e-fuel production.
Maroc
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Maroc
Moroccan FM Meets Montpellier Mayor to Bolster Bilateral Ties
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
Ya Biladi
22-04-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Nasser Bourita meets with the Mayor of Montpellier
Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, received Michaël Delafosse, the Mayor of Montpellier, in Rabat on Tuesday during the latter's visit to the Kingdom of Morocco. Following the meeting, in a statement to the press, Delafosse praised the longstanding friendship between Morocco and France. «This relationship must be considered on equal terms, as we have much to learn from each other», he emphasized, expressing the shared desire to forge new chapters within this framework. Delafosse also advocated for the mobilization of all stakeholders, including mayors, cultural, sports, and academic figures, to promote student and researcher mobility and to build bridges between the two countries. He took the opportunity to highlight the City of Montpellier's support for France's position on Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara. Discussions further centered on Montpellier's commitment to support and share its expertise with Morocco, particularly with the city of Fez, which is twinned with the French city, in organizing the 2030 FIFA World Cup, to be held in Morocco, Spain, and Portugal. The French mayor expressed his pride in the engagement and dynamism of the Moroccan community in France, and particularly in Montpellier, noting its significant contribution to the relationship between France and Morocco, where men and women are active across all sectors, fostering a strong connection.
