Upon arrival at the Palais des Congrès, the Sovereign was greeted by the Ivorian President.

   Before the dinner, His Majesty bestowed upon the Ivorian head of State the Wissam Al Mohammadi Collar.

   President Ouattara, for his part, bestowed on His Majesty the Grand Cross of the National Order of Cote d'Ivoire, the highest distinction awarded by the Republic of Cote d'Ivoire.

   Speaking on the occasion, HM the King reiterated "Morocco’s firm determination to build, together with the sister nation Cote d’Ivoire, a fruitful and prosperous model which embodies South-South cooperation in Africa, for the progress and well-being of our peoples."

   HM the King, who noted his visit to Cote d’Ivoire, shapes a project for a shared future, said it is up to the two countries to maintain and cement the indissoluble bonds which unite them, in order to give this fraternity the brightest, most tangible illustration.

   HM the King expressed hope to bolster positive political consultations on fundamental issues pertaining to collective security and stability in the Maghreb region and Western Africa, whose "strategic interests are inseparable".

   "We have a duty to deepen our cooperation and upgrade it on renewed foundations, in order to tackle the challenges ahead and turn our partnership into real opportunities for trade, growth and progress for the benefit of our two countries," HM the King said.

   In a similar statement, the Ivorian President expressed the gratitude of the Ivorian people for the efforts made by HM the King to restore peace and stability in Cote d'Ivoire since the outbreak of the Ivorian crisis in September 2002, recalling, in this regard, that Morocco was actively involved in ending the crisis in Cote d'Ivoire through UNOCI where it has a strong contingent of several hundred soldiers.

   President Ouattara also invited Moroccan businessmen to invest in Cote d'Ivoire to support this country's efforts of reconstruction and sustainable development.

   The dinner was attended by HH Prince Moulay Ismail and Cherif Moulay Youssef.

   The ceremony was also attended by the Sovereign's Advisors, Zoulikha Nasri and Fouad Ali El Himma, and other members of the official delegation accompanying the Sovereign.

   On the Ivorian side, the dinner was attended by the Speaker of the National Assembly, the heads of national institutions, government members and several other civil and military officials.