Strengthening Ties Through Cultural Exchange
On June 9, 2026, the Belgian association "Friends of Morocco" hosted its annual gathering in Brussels, focusing on the deep and rich relationships shared between Morocco and Belgium, particularly highlighting Brussels as a key destination. This event brought together a diverse group of attendees, including ministers, high-ranking officials, diplomats, cultural figures, and civil society representatives from both nations, all united to emphasize the pivotal role played by the Moroccan community in Belgium. This community is instrumental in fostering economic, cultural, and humanitarian exchanges between the two kingdoms, contributing to the enrichment of bilateral ties and the support of excellent institutional relationships.
Shared History and Future Collaborations
During the event, Boris Dilliès, the Minister-President of the Brussels-Capital Region and the guest of honor, underscored that the relationship between Belgium and Morocco is deeply rooted and cannot merely be measured through statistics or agreements. He articulated that what distinguishes Moroccan-Belgian relations is the human connections that manifest in neighborhoods, schools, and businesses, thereby creating a tangible reality that transcends mere numbers and official visits. Dilliès highlighted the significance of the Moroccan diaspora in Belgium, noting that in 2025, over one in ten residents of Brussels were born to Moroccan parents. This statistic tells a shared history, referring back to the bilateral labor migration agreement signed over sixty years ago, which significantly shaped contemporary Belgium and, particularly, Brussels.
The minister further elaborated on the ongoing evolution of this relationship, mentioning that since 2001, the Brussels region has maintained a special relationship with the Rabat-Salé-Kenitra region, representing its oldest partnership in development cooperation across various sectors, including health, sports, environment, culture, and integration. This dynamic is reflected in the economic exchanges, with trade between Brussels and Morocco showing particularly positive growth, as evidenced by an increase in projects, investments, and partnerships between both sides.
Moreover, the Moroccan Ambassador to Belgium and the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, Mohamed Amir, reiterated that the ties between the Moroccan and Belgian peoples are strengthening thanks to a distinctive political dynamic, exemplified by the joint declaration signed by the foreign ministers of both nations last October. He emphasized that this agreement is not merely a set of objectives on paper; it reaffirms absolute trust and a shared commitment to tackle contemporary challenges and elevate their bilateral relations to unprecedented levels.
Ambassador Amir commended the role of the "Friends of Morocco" association in enhancing and enriching the relationships between the two countries, stating that it serves to fill a gap by giving voice and visibility to civil society, uniting entrepreneurs, artists, researchers, and citizens who daily celebrate Moroccan-Belgian friendship through their interactions. Geoffrey Genery, the president of the association, articulated that "Friends of Morocco" is fundamentally a space for meeting, dialogue, and closeness, aiming to build a more harmonious future through cultural sharing and the appreciation of differences, while affirming the strength of shared values.
In a world often characterized by tensions, misunderstandings, and identity closures, Genery emphasized the urgent need to promote the building of bridges rather than walls, dialogue instead of doubt, and cooperation rather than confrontation. The gathering also featured a heartfelt tribute to former president of the "Friends of Morocco" association, Francis Delpery, with attendees praising his humanitarian and professional qualities, as well as his ongoing commitment to fostering closer ties between Morocco and Belgium, highlighting his active contribution to strengthening Moroccan-Belgian relations and establishing bridges of dialogue and understanding between the stakeholders of both nations.
As reported by alittihad.info.
