The Hon Prof John Cortes, Minister for developing relations with the Kingdom of Morocco, was in Morocco last week following up on a number of initiatives related to this important aspect of his portfolio.

The first port of call was Rabat, where Minister Cortes and his team attended a working dinner hosted by HM Ambassador to Morocco HE Alex Pinfield, where a number of cross-Strait initiatives were discussed.

The Minister was received on the following day at the residence of the Apostolic Nuncio to the Kingdom of Morocco, His Excellency Alfred Xuereb. The meeting provided a valuable opportunity for constructive and warm exchanges on matters of shared interest, including the longstanding connections between Gibraltar and Morocco. The Nuncio was joined by Monsignor Oscar Eoné Eoné, Chancellor and Archivist of the Archdiocese of Rabat. Discussions covered a range of topics, including His Excellency’s recent literary work reflecting on his five years of service alongside Pope Benedict XVI, offering unique insight into that period.

Minister Cortes said: "I was particularly pleased to convey the warm greetings of Bishop Charlie, whose Episcopal Ordination His Excellency attended last December. This connection reflects the strong and enduring relationships that continue to develop across our communities. We look forward to maintaining close contact with the Apostolic Nunciature and are confident that we will have the pleasure of welcoming His Excellency to Gibraltar again in the near future. These meetings reaffirmed the importance of ongoing dialogue and cooperation across a wide range of issues with our friends across the Strait”