Morocco-U.S.: Laayoun, Arlington – Texas – Seal Twinning Agreement

A twinning agreement was sealed on Thursday in Laayoun between the Laayoun municipality and the American city of Arlington, Texas, aiming to boost bilateral cooperation in several fields of common interest. The agreement, part of decentralized cooperation between Morocco and the U.S., was initialled at  the headquarters of Laayoun’s city council by the President of Laayoun’s municipal council, Moulay Hamdi Ould Errachid and the Mayor of Arlington, Jim Ross, during a ceremony attended notably by the Governor of Laayoun Province, Abdeslam Bekrate, the Regional Council president, Sidi Hamdi Ould Errachid and the Mayor of Columbus (Ohio), Andrew Ginther, who is also President of the U.S. Conference of Mayors. “This agreement is meant to consolidate cooperation for the well-being of both communities, through economic, educational and cultural exchanges,” Ross underlined following the signing ceremony. In this regard, he said that he was “very impressed” by the quality of the infrastructure in Laayoune, noting that the two cities share common interests within a framework of mutual understanding. The Mayor of Arlington also expressed his wish to further consolidate bilateral ties, adding that he is optimistic about the development of this cooperation in the future. For his part, Ould Errachid stated that this twinning agreement comes after the U.S. decision to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and its territorial integrity, recalling that this is the second agreement, following the one signed in May last year with the city of Hollywood, Florida. He also expressed his desire to establish mutually beneficial relations in the cultural, economic and political fields. Under the terms of the agreement, both parties agreed to strengthen cooperation and partnership, particularly in the economic, cultural, artistic, educational, tourist and environmental sectors. This twinning also testifies to the mutual desire to maintain a constructive relationship of friendship, based on mutual respect, equality and common interests, in accordance with the laws and legislation in force.