Culture Minister, Jordanian Peer Discuss Cultural Cooperation in Amman

Amman - Morocco's Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid held talks on Wednesday in Amman with his Jordanian peer, Haifa Al Najjar, with a focus on developing Morocco-Jordan cultural relations and strengthening cooperation in the field of cultural industries. During this meeting, held on the sidelines of Bensaid's participation in the high-level Forum on Youth, Peace and Security which kicked off today in Amman, the two parties highlighted the strong historic ties linking the two kingdoms and brotherly peoples, as well as the fraternal relationship and distinguished friendship between His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His brother HM King Abdullah bin Al-Hussein. The discussions, which took place at the Al Hussein Cultural Centre in Amman, focused on ways of strengthening cooperation between the two countries in the cultural field, in particular cultural and creative industries, set up by Morocco as a major project within the framework of the cultural economy. The two officials a lso discussed diversifying partnerships and exchanging expertise, ideas and experiences, particularly in terms of ongoing coordination between Morocco and Jordan within regional and international institutions, in addition to enhancing their coordination to ensure a strong and effective presence for both countries at cultural festivals and events in both Morocco and Jordan. The two parties also agreed to finalise the last stages of improving the bilateral executive program in the cultural field. During this meeting, attended by Bensaid's Chief of staff, Chargé d'Affaires at the Moroccan Embassy in Jordan, Director of the Jarach Festival Adil Oussi Hammou and cultural officials from both countries, the Minister highlighted the cultural potential of Morocco and Jordan to be developed within the framework of an active and practical partnership, through combining efforts, programmes and intensifying bilateral cultural exchanges and openness. For her part, the Jordanian minister hailed the distinguished relations between the two countries, which "go beyond the political framework and encompass fraternal, spiritual and human dimensions." Welcoming the Moroccan experience in the field of cultural development, through establishing solid foundations capable of strengthening the economic and developmental dimension of culture and the promotion of cultural identity, Al Najjar highlighted Morocco's historical and ancestral civilisational richness, "giving a strong impetus to this experience and helping achieve remarkable results." She further expressed her admiration for the efforts made by Morocco to ensure the development of its cultural sector and for the projects undertaken to this end, aimed at democratising access to culture and integrating the economic aspect into this field. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse