Egypt and Morocco Move to Strengthen Cultural Cooperation and Youth Engagement
Cairo, The Gulf Observer: Egypt and Morocco have reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing bilateral cultural ties by activating cooperation mechanisms focused on the preservation of both tangible and intangible heritage.
The announcement came during high-level meetings held in Cairo, where Morocco’s Minister of Culture, Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, participated in discussions on the sidelines of the first session of the Moroccan-Egyptian Coordination.
According to an official statement, the meetings aimed to inject “new momentum into the historic partnership” between the two nations, particularly in the fields of culture and youth. Both sides underscored the importance of deepening bilateral cooperation and expanding collaborative initiatives.
In a key engagement, Egypt’s Minister of Culture, Gihane Zaki, met with Bensaid to explore practical steps for activating cultural cooperation. The discussions focused on exchanging expertise in the restoration and preservation of cultural heritage, including both physical monuments and intangible traditions.
The two countries also expressed interest in increasing mutual participation in major cultural events and examining mechanisms to facilitate joint productions. Efforts will also be directed toward easing operational processes for professionals working in cinema and the broader creative arts sector.
In parallel, Bensaid held talks with Egypt’s Minister of Youth and Sports, Gohar Nabil, focusing on advancing joint youth initiatives. Discussions highlighted the importance of exchanging management models for training programs, innovation hubs, and youth centers, as well as strengthening youth diplomacy and supporting startups in youth-related sectors.
The meetings coincided with the visit of Morocco’s Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, who arrived in Cairo to lead a high-level delegation for the inaugural session of the Egypt-Morocco Joint Coordination and Follow-up Committee.
The delegation includes Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, Minister of Equipment and Water Nizar Baraka, Minister of Agriculture Ahmed Bouari, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, Minister Delegate for Investment Karim Zaidan, and Morocco’s Ambassador to Egypt Mohamed Ait Ouali.
Beyond cultural cooperation, both countries reiterated their determination to strengthen relations across multiple sectors, including trade. Morocco has previously expressed its ambition to significantly increase exports to Egypt—from MAD 755 million (approximately $75 million) to MAD 5 billion (around $500 million) within the next three years.
The latest engagements reflect a broader effort by both nations to reinforce strategic ties and expand collaboration in cultural, economic, and youth development domains.
