The honorary committee is chaired by the Belgian-Moroccan Ilham Kadri, CEO of the Solvay group until the end of 2023 and since then CEO of the company Syensqo, born from the split of this group. The committee includes as members the CEO of the Belfius bank, Marc Raisière, the businessman Luc Bertrand, the general director of the Federal Participation and Investment Company, Koen Van Loo, the academicians Bruno Colmant and Jean-François Raskin and choreographer Sidi Larbi Cherkaoui.
Speaking on this occasion, Mr. Ameur considered that the official launch of this honorary committee constitutes “a significant event in the relationship between the two countries and in the construction of an ever stronger common future”, noting that relations between Morocco and Belgium are “exceptionally rich” and based on a shared history of cooperation and friendship.
He also highlighted the “unprecedented dynamism” which marks these relations in all areas, highlighting the holding, last April in Rabat, of the High Joint Morocco-Belgium Partnership Commission, during which the two countries reiterated their commitment to building a partnership of excellence, as well as the commemoration throughout this year of the 60th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral labor agreement, which paved the way for the installation of an important Moroccan community in Belgium and laid the foundations for a strong and lasting relationship between the two peoples.
Mr. Ameur also praised the role played by the association “Les Amis du Maroc” in this sense, noting that the initiatives of civil society and citizens are essential to promote cultural exchanges, strengthen mutual understanding and develop new cooperation projects.
For his part, the president of the association, Francis Delprée, welcomed the creation of this honorary committee which includes personalities of great caliber capable of energizing the action of the association in favor of cooperation, solidarity and Moroccan-Belgian exchanges, adding that this association, created in 2019, aims to be a think-tank and a space for information, exchange and reflection on ways to strengthen ties of cooperation and partnership between two Kingdoms.
For her part, Ms. Kadri said she was happy to welcome the Friends of Morocco to the home of Ernest Solvay, a pioneer of Belgian and global industry and a great patron of scientific research in his time, and to contribute to the strengthening and dissemination of relations between the two countries, through this honorary committee which includes distinguished personalities.
