Speaking to MAP and its news information channel M24, Nicollier said that the development experienced by the aeronautical industry in Morocco will be an important asset for the development of cooperation with Switzerland, in particular, and Europe, in general.

In this regard, he expressed his willingness to contribute to laying the foundations for this cooperation with Morocco, particularly in sectors related to aeronautics and space industries.

He explained that this conviction stems from his great admiration for the quality of training provided by the Moroccan Aeronautics Institute (IMA), as well as the high skills of professionals in this industry in Morocco, noting that this visit enabled him to discover the desire of these professionals to build up strong relations of cooperation with their European counterparts, including in Switzerland.

This visit by astronaut and professor Claude Nicollier, who was accompanied by the Swiss Ambassador to Morocco, Guillaume Scheurer, and officials and stakeholders from the aeronautics sector, is part of the celebration of the centenary diplomatic presence in Morocco.

During a press conference following this visit, Nicollier shared with the audience the experience of his four space exploration trips (1992-1999) during which he spent more than 1,000 hours in space.

In a presentation under the title "Space, opportunities and challenges", the Swiss astronaut said that during the period from 1981 to 2011, more than 135 space exploration missions were carried out on about thirty years, believing that space will always remain a source of inspiration for humanity.

He added that space could also be used for the benefit of all of humanity, noting in this regard that access to space allows global observation of the Earth in order to take the necessary measures to preserve our planet.