“Rooted in the depth and wealth of their respective histories, their shared choice of the centrality of culture and the arts at the heart of their priorities, and faithful to their age-old traditions of openness to the world, Essaouira and Tetouan have every reason to pool their assets and ambitions to do more and better together today and tomorrow,” Azoulay emphasized, speaking at a tribute paid to him by Tetouan as part of the 1st edition of the “Soul of Al Andalus” symposium.

Highlighting the “inclusive, proactive and innovative nature of this intra-territorial partnership,” HM the King's Advisor welcomed “the consensual mobilization of the government, elected officials and civil society, committed and united to giving this new-generation partnership every chance of success and sustainability.”

“This evening’s attendance of almost 1,500 people is impressive, and embodies the support of as many people as possible for the prospects emerging along the path that Essaouira and Tetouan have chosen to usher in together,” emphasized HM the King's Advisor.

“By demonstrating their determination to make the diversity of our spiritualities and cultural traditions the central reactor of our social modernity, we are together giving its most beautiful colors to the historic leadership that is Morocco's today within the Community of Nations, a leadership forged, nurtured and carried by HM King Mohammed VI in a time and space when all around us are flourishing the regressions and archaisms of exclusion,” Azoulay concluded, inviting the attendance to “make their own the exemplary nature of this Moroccan reality, which everyone must appreciate.”