HRH Moulay Rachid visited the exhibition, organized by the Directorate of the Royal Archives in collaboration with the Order of the Liberation. It highlights 13 centuries of Morocco’s history since the creation of the Moroccan state to recent days, and allows visitors to discover the depth of the Moroccan state and its cultural characteristics, namely the adoption of a moderate Islam based on doctrinal grounds, such as the Maliki rite, the Achaârite doctrine and the Sunni Sufism.

On this occasion, the director of the Royal Archives, Bahija Simou, presented to HRH Prince Moulay Rachid a book entitled "Morocco and France, the journey to independence 1912-1956".

In a welcoming speech, Colonel Freed Moore, national delegate of "Companion of the Liberation" communities and partner of the directorate of the Royal Archives for the organization of this event, stressed that this exhibition highlights Morocco’s rich history, as well as the sustainable and strong relations linking Morocco and France.

He also highlighted the French-Moroccan friendship throughout history, recalling the exemplary leadership of two statesmen, namely General De Gaulle and late King Mohammed V.

Thanks to his courage, Colonel Freed Moore added, late King Mohammed V was decorated by General De Gaulle with the most prestigious French distinction.

For her part, Simou said that few weeks prior to the 60th anniversary of the commemoration of the independence of Morocco, this exhibition features all stages of the path to independence, since the Anfa Conference in 1943.

She added that this exhibition is the result of an agreement inked between the Directorate of the Royal Archives and the Order of the Liberation, the Arab World Institute on February 17, 2016, during a ceremony attended by HM King Mohammed VI and French President Francois Hollande.

On his part, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Marc Ayrault, hailed the Moroccan and French history, noting that more than 70,000 Moroccans fought in the French army from 1939 to 1945 and played a decisive role in military achievements of the Allies.

This exhibition highlights the historical depth of the French-Moroccan friendship and allows us to imagine the future of a bilateral partnership of exception, Ayrault said, noting that the exposed objects of great value reflect the strength of the human, diplomatic and cultural ties between France and Morocco.

The relationship between France and Morocco is very rich especially in the cultural field, he stressed.

Following the ceremony, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid handed decorations awarded by HM King Mohammed VI to French officials for their contribution to promoting ties between France and Morocco.

These are Colonel Freed Moore, Claude Sornat, and Jean Martin.

This ceremony was attended by several Moroccan and French personalities from the world of politics, culture and economy.