USA Promotes Morocco’s Cultural Preservation

As part of her visit to Arab Countries, U.S. Assistant Secretary for Educational & Cultural Affairs Marie Royce chaired from November 20 to 23 a delegation to Morocco to discuss the possibility of a deal that would stop importing some archaeological and ethnographic objects from Morocco to the United States.

Marie Royce stated that “The United States shows lots of respect to Morocco’s cultural heritage. We hope to make great progress towards signing an agreement allowing our cultural institutions and authorities to work hand in hand to protect Moroccan cultural heritage from looting and trafficking. Thus, promote a wider cultural exchange between the two countries”

On this occasion, Marie Royce met Othman El Ferdaous, Moroccan minister of Youth, Sports and Culture, so as to discuss the possible means of widening the opportunities for cultural exchange between the two countries in the area of preservation of heritage especially.

The United States holds a long history of working hand in hand with Morocco to promote the preservation of cultural heritage sites of Morocco. The U.S. Ambassadors Fund for Cultural Preservation (AFCP) has invested since 2002 more than 860,000 USD in 11 projects for the preservation of Moroccan cultural heritage.

Furthermore, the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is working on a 3-million-USD program that aims at promoting religious tolerance and community efforts so as to preserve cultural heritage sites belonging to religious and ethnic minorities in Morocco.

Marie Royce paid a visit to Moshe Nahon Synagogue in the old city of Tangier. It reflects Morocco’s religious diversity and its promotion of interfaith understanding.