Prince Moulay Rachid breaking down the solitudes that separate Moroccans and Canadians

Rabat, December 10, 2006 -- His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid has welcomed Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, the Governor General of Canada, who arrived in Morocco Sunday on the last stop of her five-country tour of Africa.

His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, a leading Moroccan voice of a practice of international relations, builds on existing international relationships and strengthens ties across a broad range of sectors.

The meeting of the Prince with the Governor General is the demonstration of Moroccan and Canadian partners working together to achieve results and to further reinforce the image and understanding between two countries.

Both leaders have expressed desire to raise awareness and understanding of two nations and to showcase the leadership and commitment of working for a better world.

Canada and Morocco have had diplomatic relations since 1962. The ties of friendship and cooperation forged between the two countries have gradually grown stronger over the years.

During the first 30 years of relations the Canadian Official Development Assistance program for Morocco has spent some $400 million between 1963 and 1998.

Earlier this week, the Governor General said that during her 24-day tour she wanted to demonstrate to Canadians that the $1.5 billion Canada spends every year on aid to Africa makes a difference.

The Governor General is leading a delegation of distinguished Canadians from civil society to Algeria, Mali, Ghana and South Africa, with a final brief stop in Morocco. The visit takes place between November 19 and December 11, 2006.