Laayoune: The French Minister of Culture, Rachida Dati, announced on Monday in Laayoune the establishment of a French Alliance in the city, aiming to boost cultural cooperation between France and Morocco, particularly in the southern provinces.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Dati stated that the Alliance is intended to serve as a resource center and a pivotal hub for cultural cooperation between France and Morocco. This announcement followed a meeting dedicated to presenting the Alliance project, attended by Morocco’s Minister of Youth, Culture, and Communication, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the French Ambassador to Morocco, Christophe Lecourtier, governors from Tarfaya and Boujdour, along with elected officials, and cultural and community actors.

Dati emphasized that the French Alliance will benefit children, students, teachers, and trainers in the region, offering access to cultural activities such as language learning, artist exchanges, and educational paths. She highlighted the ambition to promote French cultural offerings and language courses by supporting the opening of this French Alliance in Laayoune.

The minister noted that this cultural initiative is part of France’s cooperation with Morocco, fulfilling commitments made by French President Emmanuel Macron during his state visit to Morocco in October 2024, at the invitation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. She expressed that such cooperation agreements in media, heritage, cinema, and cultural and creative industries will benefit local populations.

Minister Dati also praised Morocco’s efforts in advancing the economic and social development of the region, as well as the quality of the infrastructures in the Laayoune-Sakia Al Hamra region, which align with the vision of His Majesty the King for the development of the southern provinces.

Minister Bensaid remarked that this visit marks the first by a French minister to the southern provinces, underscoring the historical depth of France-Morocco relations, particularly in their cultural dimension. He also mentioned that cultural industries are key to human development and new professions, benefiting especially the youth in the southern provinces.