Moroccan ambassador celebrates Throne Day in a ‘spirit of understanding’ with Spain

The Moroccan ambassador to Spain, Karima Benyaich, celebrated the 26th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in Madrid on 30 July, accompanied by distinguished figures from Spain, Morocco and other nations. 

30 July is a cherished date that serves as a reminder to the Moroccan people of their unity with the Alawite dynasty and bears witness to the greatness of the nation, the strength of its institutions and the confidence its citizens have in a prosperous and sustainable future. 

In Morocco, King Mohammed VI presided over a reception in the town of M'diq alongside Crown Prince Hassan and Prince Rachid in Fnideq Square on the occasion of the Throne Day. The event was also attended by Moroccan and foreign dignitaries from various fields in a show of cordiality. 

As is customary, Ambassador Karima Benyaich prepared a speech in Madrid in which she highlighted the relations between the two neighbouring countries, the Moroccan king's progress in the development of the nation and the symbolism of the Spanish-Moroccan symbiosis at the celebration before the guests after listening to the national anthems of the two territories. 

She highlighted the presence of the President of the Council of State, Carmen Calvo, authorities from the Armed Forces, the Security Corps, the Civil Guard and the former Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, who was accompanied by his wife, Cristina Narbona, President of the PSOE. 

The ambassador also thanked politicians and personalities such as the Minister of the Interior, Fernando Grande-Marlaska; the Minister of Agriculture, Luis Planas; the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, Elma Saiz; the former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trinidad Jiménez; the PP deputy Carlos Floriano; the PP senator José Antonio Monago; the former director of the National Intelligence Centre, Félix Sanz Roldán; and the director of the Legado Andalusí, Concha de Santa Ana, among other personalities. 

In addition, various ambassadors were present, including the Chinese ambassador, Yao Jing, the Saudi Arabian ambassador, Princess Haifa Bint Abdulaziz Al-Mogrin, and the former US ambassador, Julissa Reynoso. 

For Karima Benyaich, the coexistence of important Spanish figures with representatives of the Moroccan community, such as the imam of the mosque at the Islamic Cultural Centre, in a friendly atmosphere full of warmth, ‘reflects the deep ties of friendship and cooperation that unite the Kingdom of Morocco and the Kingdom of Spain, historical relations marked by constant collaboration’. 

Both countries have a long history of understanding and dialogue marked by their proximity and ‘mutual trust’. Such is their closeness that the ambassador mentioned that the Spanish capital ‘is home to a large Moroccan community, most of whom are well integrated’.

‘Spain is our traditional and privileged partner, a neighbouring country and friend with whom we share a common history and heritage, human ties, strategic interests and a constant desire to build a future based on mutual trust, respect, prosperity and mutually beneficial cooperation in order to take advantage of the opportunities that present themselves, but also to work together to combat the challenges we face,’ said the ambassador in her speech. 

She also highlighted the efforts of both nations to work together in a very turbulent global scenario in terms of migration, security and geo-regional development. 

She also praised the efforts of King Mohammed VI during his 26-year reign to consolidate Morocco as ‘a benchmark for political, institutional and legal stability, a model of social cohesion, and an active platform for economic and social initiatives with regional and international reach, as well as a reliable partner in the fight against illegal immigration, organised crime and terrorism’. 

Above all, she highlighted the importance of the Moroccan monarch's social initiatives to improve education, empower young people in the country, improve the situation of women and ‘implement a new model of inclusive, sustainable and fair development’. 

‘Thus, the human development policy has enabled us to reduce poverty in 10 years from 11.9% in 2014 to 6.8% in 2024,’ the ambassador confirmed as evidence of the social progress achieved by King Mohammed VI. 

She explained to the guests that the Moroccan monarch had ordered ‘the launch of a new generation of territorial development programmes’, through which the country will create added value based on inclusive sustainable development in sectors such as agriculture, tourism, digitalisation, etc. 

She continued with the economic sphere before guests from the business world, such as the president of Satec, Luis Alberto Rodríguez, the CEO of Bank África in Spain, Mohamed Benchaib, José Luis Goberna, executive president of SECEGSA, and engineer José Luis Almazán, mentioning the tripartite cooperation for the organisation of the 2030 World Cup in Spain, Morocco and Portugal, ‘an event of global reach and a historic precedent that will unite three countries, but also two continents’. 

‘On this special day, we also have the opportunity to celebrate the friendship and brotherhood between Morocco and Spain, as well as the excellent relations at the political, security, economic, cultural and social levels, based on the bonds of fraternity that unite our two kings, His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Majesty King Felipe VI,’ said the Moroccan ambassador. 

Karima Benyaich concluded her speech, which marked the start of this distinguished event characterised by friendship and good relations, by once again praising Spanish-Moroccan cooperation: ‘Long live Morocco and long live Spain!’