Mayor of Paris prospects cooperation with Moroccan officials

Mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, who held a series of work sessions with Moroccan officials, said talks covered cooperation projects on urban issues.

The Mayor of Paris said at a press conference cultural and economic cooperation was at the focus of his talks with Moroccan premier, Abderrahmane Youssoufi, and other officials.

Delanoe proposed to help in the restoration of historical monuments, green spaces and transforming an old house in Casablanca into a contemporary art center.

Paris town council will also bring its contribution to promoting start-ups, said the mayor of the French capital who will also be visiting Algeria and Tunisia. Delanoe announced that he will propose to Paris council naming a square in Paris, located on the Seine banks in front of the Arab world institute, after the late King Mohammed VI, whom he praised as a man of great value and bravery. He also assured that he will personally supervise the aesthetic aspect of the square.

Regarding his meeting with the Moroccan prime minister, he said his talks covered bilateral cooperation and issues of the Moroccan community living in France. In this regard, he said he supports granting to foreigners living in France the right to express their opinion in local affairs.

Delanoe's visit seeks to develop contacts between the mayor of Paris and his peers in Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakesh and Meknes. All of these cities are member to the international association of French-speaking cities which held last October a meeting in Casablanca.

Delanoe's trip to Morocco also comes to follow on results of last November French-Morocco encounter on decentralized cooperation.