Benyaich highlights Morocco's transformation under the ‘visionary leadership’ and humanism of Mohammed VI
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, the Moroccan Ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, held a reception in the gardens of her official residence in which she highlighted the transformation of her country under the ‘visionary leadership’ of the sovereign and the great friendship between Morocco and Spain.
After the national anthems of Spain and Morocco were played, Ambassador Karima Benyaich took the floor to thank the guests, including Ministers Fernando Grande-Marlaska and Luis Planas, for their presence at the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of King Mohammed VI, ‘a wise man and great humanist who has transformed the country into a nation of great advances and reforms in the political, economic, social and cultural spheres’.
Under his reign, Benyaich stressed, Morocco has become a land of openness and peace that has prospered and established itself as a reliable and committed actor in the international arena, tackling challenges such as the fight against illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism.
The ambassador also spoke of the major transformations that the country is undergoing thanks to the ‘visionary leadership’ of the King of Morocco, which have had an impact on the rule of law and democratic institutions, with institutional reforms, profound improvements in the judicial system, the protection of individual freedoms, good governance and human rights, promoting equality between women and men.
Nor did she forget the great commitment to education and training for young people, preparing them for a more promising future; nor the important initiatives for sustainable and responsible development in areas such as agriculture, fisheries, tourism, renewable energies, energy transition, green hydrogen, digitalisation, etc.
With regard to the industrialisation process, she recalled the strengthening of the economy that has positioned her country as a leader in the automotive, aeronautics and technology sectors, a development, she added, that has been accompanied by the creation of infrastructures that have strengthened Morocco's position at the international and regional level.
Important role on the African continent
Benyaich also stressed that, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has strengthened its commitment to South-South cooperation in a dynamic and supportive manner, thus becoming a key player on the African continent. In this regard, she expressed her pride at being the leading investor in West Africa and the second largest in Africa. This strategic position, she said, reinforces Morocco's presence not only in the region, but also in supporting development and cooperation with neighbouring countries, and gave as an example the Atlantic Initiative launched in 2023 by the King, which offers Sahel countries access to the Atlantic through Moroccan ports, ‘which will strengthen ties between partners in Africa, Europe and also America’, and will promote regional inclusion and the transformation of the region into a prosperous economic space, ‘a bastion of development, stability and peace’.
Furthermore, the ambassador stressed, during this quarter-century reign, Moroccan diplomacy has continued to expand and has shown an openness and international projection based on principles of dialogue, respect and peace.
Excellent relations with Spain
During her speech, the ambassador referred to the more than one million Moroccan citizens that Spain hosts, a country of which she highlighted its solid friendship and excellent relations on a political, security, economic and cultural level, without forgetting, she said, ‘the fraternal arms that unite the Royal Courts’.
She also highlighted the shared history, the common legacy and the closeness between the two countries, separated by only 14 kilometres, ties that enable them, according to the ambassador, not only to face the challenges ‘in these turbulent times’, but also to take advantage of the opportunities for the future: ‘Together, hand in hand, we will work tirelessly to achieve peace, security and stability for the two countries, the two peoples and our region’.
And after reiterating her gratitude to her guests for attending the reception in tribute to the King of Morocco ‘for his visionary leadership, his commitment and his service to the country for security and social justice’, she expressed her desire to move forward together and to be bearers of hope and progress for the two continents, and recalled the ambitious project of organising the 2030 World Cup together with Portugal and Spain. An event that she described as historic, due to the collaboration of both continents, Africa and Europe, and which will allow us to experience unique moments not only in the history of sport and international collaboration, but which ‘will show the world the power of union and friendship’.
After her words, the guests enjoyed a pleasant evening in the gardens of the Madrid residence where they were able to enjoy music and taste typical Moroccan dishes based on vegetables, lamb, chicken and delicious desserts.
After her words, the guests, who included, in addition to the Spanish ministers Grande-Marlaska and Planas, the President of the Council of State, Carmen Calvo, and the President of the Women for Africa Foundation, María Teresa Fernández de la Vega, as well as various ambassadors, members of the military, businessmen, writers, etc., enjoyed a pleasant evening in the gardens of the Madrid residence where they were able to enjoy the beautiful voice of the young singer Safa Shisey and taste typical Moroccan dishes based on vegetables, lamb, chicken and delicious desserts.
