Morocco's Role in Atlantic and African Dynamics
During an international conference held in Tangier, Mr. André Azoulay, advisor to His Majesty the King and founding president of the Essaouira-Mogador Association, emphasized the pivotal role that Morocco's Atlantic and African vision plays as a critical regional indicator of the Kingdom's centrality and authority. In his opening remarks at the event titled "The Atlantic-African Space: What New Geopolitical Reading? A Multidimensional Approach," Azoulay articulated that a careful examination of Morocco's diplomatic history and a rational analysis of its regional strategic leadership, particularly throughout the 19th century, provides profound depth to this vision under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. This leadership has garnered international acclaim, with global communities recognizing this pioneering choice as a decisive factor in reinforcing Morocco's centrality and authority within the region.
Furthermore, Azoulay asserted that Morocco, under the wise guidance of the King, possesses all the necessary components to transform its Atlantic strategy into a robust platform for development and regional cooperation. He urged the continuation of this dynamic to enhance the Kingdom's position as a regional reference point dedicated to fostering a shared and sustainable future. He highlighted that the royal Atlantic initiative embodies the King's strategic vision aimed at strengthening Morocco's role as a key player within the Atlantic-African space. This direction is grounded in solid historical, geographical, and civilizational foundations, calling for the promotion of an ambitious Africa built on values of equality, dignity, and mutual respect.
Enhancing Cultural Partnerships and Education
Azoulay also noted that this gathering serves as an opportunity to bolster the partnership between Tetouan and Essaouira regarding the project of the University of Cultural Sciences and Heritage, which seeks to position culture in all its manifestations as a structural driver for urban development, aligning with the Kingdom's choices in diversity, pluralism, and social modernity. Discussing the "Blue University" initiative in Essaouira, Azoulay indicated that this project fully aligns with Morocco's Atlantic vision, emphasizing that marine resources represent a significant strategic challenge for environmental and food security, as well as for the regional prominence of the Kingdom. He affirmed the necessity of valuing this potential within a structured scientific framework that supports Morocco's ambitions in this domain.
Moreover, Abdullah Ouzitan, the founding president of the Center for Studies and Research on Hebrew Culture and Law in Morocco, highlighted that this meeting focuses on the Atlantic African theme, underscoring a symbolic space that serves as both a meeting ground for humanity and a lever for economic development and cultural radiance. He stressed the centrality of culture in the dynamics of this strategic space, which is anticipated to play a structural role in the pathways of regional integration and cooperation. He described the project of the International University of Cultural Sciences and Heritage as an unprecedented initiative that fully integrates into the Atlantic African dynamic, preparing to launch a master's program in blue economy in collaboration with Bordeaux University, along with establishing a research center in this field and other structured initiatives.
Azoulay's statements reflect a promising vision aligned with the royal Atlantic initiative, which he characterized as a significant turning point in reshaping the geopolitical landscape of this space. He emphasized the importance of valuing the capacities of the Atlantic African region to evolve into a domain of peace, stability, security, and solidarity, serving the mutual development of the coastal states. The gathering also featured a signing of a cooperation agreement between the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, the Center for Studies and Research on Hebrew Culture and Law, and Dar Morocco for Peace, focusing on studying the geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics of the Atlantic African space and highlighting Morocco's pivotal role within this strategic arena.
This event, organized by the Center for Studies and Research on Hebrew Culture and Law in Morocco, in partnership with Dar Morocco for Peace and the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, aims to initiate a multidimensional reflection on the geopolitical and geostrategic dynamics of maritime areas, particularly concentrating on the Atlantic African space. The conference included the first meeting of the Board of Directors of the International University of Cultural Sciences and Heritage, presenting progress reports on this institution's work, alongside various research projects. Additionally, a poetry collection was presented in honor of Mr. André Azoulay, highlighting the cultural significance of the event.
Throughout the conference, discussions addressed various topics, including "Tetouan: The Gateway of Atlantic Africa to Europe, A Historical and Geopolitical Reading," "Atlantic Africa: An Anthropological Perspective," "The Origins of Languages and the Path to Integration in Atlantic Africa," and "From Moroccan Sahara to Atlantic Africa: What New Geostrategic Insights?" as well as "The Geographical and Historical Dimensions of Morocco's Atlantic Orientation."
As reported by alaan.ma.
