2024-05-08 15:49:57
The work, presented during a ceremony organized at the Diplomatic Academy of Vienna, sheds light on the historical depth of relations between Morocco and Austria, starting with the diplomatic mission led by Ambassador Mohamed Ben Abdelmalek in Vienna in 1783, which was crowned by the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Commerce between the two countries.
This collective work offers the opportunity to return to history in order to better understand the dynamics currently experienced by relations between Morocco and Austria, as well as to explore ways to contribute to further developing and deepening them on the basis of a shared, unique and rich historical heritage.
The speakers at this meeting, held with the participation of an audience of diplomats, parliamentarians and senior Austrian officials, in addition to numerous professors, researchers, historians and students, underlined the excellence of the relations linking Rabat and Vienna for over of 240 years, as well as the determination of both parties to capitalize on this historic achievement with a view to promoting bilateral partnership in all areas.
In a speech on this occasion, the Ambassador of Morocco to Austria, Azzeddine Farhane, indicated that the celebration of this anniversary offers both parties “the opportunity to look back on history, to better understand the dynamics currently experienced by relations between our two countries as well as exploring ways to contribute together to further develop and deepen them on the basis of our unique, common and rich shared historical heritage”.
And to note that the work launched on this occasion includes the work of eminent Moroccan and Austrian professors as well as historical documents from the Austrian National Library and the Austrian State Archives, and sheds light on essential elements allowing a good understanding of the evolution of bilateral relations throughout 240 years.
The book thus highlights the crucial role played by Morocco and Austria, two nations with a rich history, in contemporary international relations, underlined Mr. Farhane, noting that the two countries have contributed significantly to the rapprochement between Europe and North Africa.
“The determinants of the foreign policy of the two countries eloquently reflect this historical anchoring, which continues to serve as a solid foundation for their soft power,” he noted.
The ambassador also considered that the in-depth analysis of the historical and diplomatic dimensions of relations between Morocco and Austria, carried out by the eminent professors who contributed to this work, “offers us today a unique, common and historical heritage. rich to share and exploit for other academic research connecting the past to the present”.
For his part, the ambassador, director of the School of Advanced International Studies in Vienna, Emil Brix, highlighted the excellence of relations between Morocco and Austria, which are based on a long history of 240 years, noting that bilateral exchanges are experiencing strong dynamics, particularly on the political level, with the visits to the Kingdom carried out last year by the Federal Chancellor, Mr. Karl Nehammer and the President of the Austrian National Council, Mr. Wolfgang Sobotka.
“These high-level exchanges reflect the distinguished character of relations between Rabat and Vienna and the desire to further enhance them,” he said, stressing that cooperation between the two countries goes beyond political coordination to embrace the economic and cultural sectors as well as collaboration in the field of migration.
For his part, the Ambassador, Director General of International Cultural Affairs at the Austrian Ministry of European and International Affairs, Christoph Thun-Hohenstein, affirmed that Moroccan-Austrian relations are based on a rich historical heritage which constitutes a source of motivation for develop them further and at a more accelerated pace.
Cooperation in the cultural field now occupies an important place in bilateral cooperation, he said, adding that Morocco is one of the Arab and African countries with which Austria maintains the richest cultural relations, while there still remain cultural areas which can be the subject of strengthening cooperation and bilateral coordination.
Mr. Thun-Hohenstein also highlighted the “very positive” image that Austrians have of Morocco and their great interest in the history and cultural heritage of the Kingdom, which explains the increased influx of Austrian tourists on the destination Morocco.
The international seminar “Historical and diplomatic dimensions of relations between Morocco and Austria” was marked by presentations on the history of Moroccan-Austrian relations presented by professors from the two countries, notably Fatima Zahra Iflahen, Houssine Chougrani, Walter Sauer and Stephan Wittich, from the universities of Cadi Ayyad-Marrakech and Vienna.
These presentations focused on the historical context prevailing in Europe and the Mediterranean at the end of the 18th century, on the transformations and structural reforms implemented in Morocco and by Austria during the end of the 18th century, respectively by the Sultan Sidi Mohammed ben Abdellah and by Emperor Joseph II, as well as on the diplomatic mission of Ambassador Mohammed ben Abdelmalek and the ceremonial ceremony reserved for him by the Court of Vienna.
2024-05-08 15:49:57