A Night to Honor Moroccan-Belgian Relations
On June 9, 2026, the Belgian association "Friends of Morocco" hosted its annual gathering in Brussels, highlighting the profound and robust relationship between Morocco and Belgium, with a particular focus on the vibrant connections between Morocco and Brussels, the capital. This significant event saw the participation of ministers, high-ranking officials, elected representatives, diplomats, cultural and academic figures, as well as various civil society actors from both nations. It served as an opportune moment to emphasize the vital role played by the Moroccan community residing in Belgium in fostering economic, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges between the two kingdoms. Additionally, it underscored the contributions of civil society as a catalyst for enriching bilateral ties and supporting the excellent institutional relationships shared by both countries.
During the event, Boris Dilliès, the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region and guest of honor, remarked that "the relationship between Belgium and Morocco is one of the deeply rooted connections that cannot be measured solely by statistics, agreements, or institutional mechanisms." He elaborated that what makes Moroccan-Belgian relations distinctive, beyond tangible figures and economic exchanges, is that they are "written through human relationships, in neighborhoods, schools, and businesses," which renders them a "remarkably tangible reality." Dilliès highlighted the significance of the Moroccan community in Belgium, particularly in Brussels, noting that by 2025, one in ten residents in Brussels was of Moroccan descent at birth. He emphasized that "this figure narrates our shared history," recalling that the bilateral agreement concerning labor migration, signed over sixty years ago, has profoundly shaped contemporary Belgium and, specifically, Brussels.
Strengthening Bonds Through Initiative and Cooperation
Moreover, Dilliès asserted that this relationship continues to evolve, citing that since 2001, the Brussels region has established a notable partnership with the Rabat-Salé-Kénitra region, which represents the Belgian region's oldest collaboration in the domain of development cooperation, encompassing sectors such as health, sports, environment, culture, and integration. He also noted that this dynamic is reflected in economic relationships, where trade between Brussels and Morocco has shown a particularly positive trend, characterized by an increase in projects, investments, and partnerships between the two sides.
In his remarks, the Moroccan ambassador to Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mohamed Amer, affirmed that the ties between the Moroccan and Belgian peoples are growing stronger, thanks to the outstanding political dynamics exemplified by the joint declaration signed last October by the foreign ministers of both countries. He stated that "this document did not merely set objectives on paper; it reaffirmed the absolute trust and shared will to move forward hand in hand to tackle the challenges of our time and elevate our bilateral relations to unprecedented levels." The ambassador praised the role played by the "Friends of Morocco" association in enriching and enhancing the relationships between the two nations, viewing it as a means to "bridge the gap by giving civil society a voice and face, bringing together entrepreneurs, artists, researchers, and citizens who daily breathe life into Moroccan-Belgian friendship through their interactions and engagements."
Geoffroy Gienery, the president of the association, emphasized that "Friends of Morocco" is primarily a space for meeting, dialogue, and rapprochement, aimed at building a more harmonious future through cultural exchange and the discovery of diverse riches while reinforcing the strength of shared values. He added that "in an international context often marked by tensions, misunderstandings, and identity closures, the necessity of fostering the building of bridges over walls, dialogue over suspicion, and cooperation over confrontation has never been more pronounced." The event also featured an emotional tribute to the former president of the "Friends of Morocco" association, Francis Delpery, attended notably by Belgian Minister of Security and the Interior, Bernard Cwanten. Participants praised Delpery’s human and professional qualities, as well as his unwavering commitment to promoting closer ties between Morocco and Belgium, highlighting his significant contributions to bolstering Moroccan-Belgian relations and establishing bridges of dialogue and understanding between the actors of both countries.
As reported by alittihad.info.
