Morocco and the Canary Islands, willing to strengthen cooperation in several areas

In order to continue promoting relations between Morocco and Spain, the Moroccan Association of Presidents of Prefectural and Provincial Councils (APCPP) organised a workshop on Decentralised Cooperation of Territorial Collectivities at the National Library of Morocco.   

The event in Rabat was the ideal meeting for governmental and territorial authorities from both nations to share experiences on this topic.  

Atalayar was able to speak in Rabat with Concepción Brito, president of the Federation of Canary Islands Municipalities, who highlighted the cooperation between Moroccan and Canary Islands localities in different aspects, such as the fight against climate change. 

What is your assessment of this meeting? 

For us it has been a very positive meeting. We believe that it is the beginning of a path of administrative cooperation between local governments in the Canary Islands and local governments in Morocco. Until now, we had not had the opportunity to share experiences and good practices, and we believe that this meeting puts us on the path towards this cooperation that already exists between state governments, and we need to take a further step towards this local cooperation. 

It could be argued that the interests of the Canary Islands and the interests of Morocco, for example, the Sahara, are complementary and not conflicting. 

I believe that the positions of the governments have been clear on this matter. What we aspire to from the Canary Islands Federation of Municipalities is to try to make progress on common projects that unite us, not separate us. What we share are values and ideas based on consensus, to address everything that can put us on the same path. We will always work from there. 

Which sectors can be the most active when it comes to collaboration?

I believe that one of the areas in which we can collaborate is precisely the challenges posed by climate change and the management of environmental sustainability. Also in the area of equality, in the area of employment, economic and commercial organisation. These are sectors in which both local governments, both in Morocco and in the Canary Islands, are already working, as well as in the areas of civil protection, security, etc. During the meeting, several issues were brought to light on which I believe we will be able to agree on many projects.