Princess Lalla Salma chairs Moroccan Day in AICHI-2005 expo

Morocco's First Lady, Princess Lalla Salma, chaired in Nagoya Friday the celebration of the "Moroccan Day" at the 2005 World Exposition in Aichi, Japan.

The Princess was welcomed by Princess Takamado, representative of the Japanese Government, Katsiouki Kouai, and other Japanese officials.

In a speech he addressed on this occasion, Kouai hailed Morocco's participation in the exhibition, highlighting the natural and cultural diversity in the north African country.

Morocco, he said, was able to reconcile its historical and civilizational heritage with openness on other cultures.

He also underlined the privileged relations binding the royal and imperial families, and the good relations between the two countries.

The Moroccan pavilion, which has so far attracted over 600,000 visitors, highlights the distinctive features of the Moroccan civilizational heritage, and the kingdom's attachment to its traditions, while keeping strong ties with modernity and openness to the world contemporary civilization.

Aichi 2005 World Expo is a six-month event that kicked off on March 25. It has opened this year under the theme: "Wisdom and Nature."

Some 126 countries and organisations are taking part in this exhibition, which is expected to attract some 15 million visitors, including 13.5 million Japanese, according to organizers.