It is a great and distinct pleasure and honor for me to be here today in Seville, to open the 5th World Congress for Middle Eastern Studies, which is being held for the second time in Spain, after Barcelona hosted the event eight years ago.
I would like to congratulate the organizers of this initiative, who, nearly twenty years ago, realized that specialists from around the world wanted and needed to meet, discuss and debate the results of their work on this fascinating and complex region face to face.
I would also like to thank the Three Cultures Foundation −our hosts during this year’s WOCMES− for their dedication and hard work to make this Congress possible. The Foundation, which was created by the Kingdom of Morocco and the Regional Government of Andalusia, is an outstanding example of what Moroccans and Spaniards can achieve when we join forces to nurture our relationship.
A relationship which is strategic not only because we are neighbours and face many common worries, challenges and threats, together with the will, the need and the determination to overcome them in close cooperation; but because of our friendship, built from mutual trust, respect and strong cultural affinity.
This is well reflected in the High Patronage of this Foundation that HM King Mohammed VI and I share, and also in a very visual and artistic way by this magnificent building in which we find ourselves today. It was Morocco's national pavilion at the 1992 Universal Exposition, when Seville once again opened its doors to the world, to welcome all those who came to enjoy our hospitality and diversity and to learn about our culture and our advances.
I personally remember well how special and impressive Morocco’s contribution was then, and appreciate the efforts both countries have made all these years for it to remain as a Sevillian landmark to honour −and work for− the continuous dialogue and exchange between the diverse and vast cultures we both share, also with so many other countries in the region.
So Seville is, without a doubt, a particularly fitting location for this Congress, as it has always fostered the sharing of ideas through rich debate between different cultures and religions.
Efectivamente, Sevilla, Andalucía y España entera son tierra de encuentro que sabe combinar tradición y vocación por el intercambio de ideas con el diálogo entre culturas y la construcción de puentes. Nuestro país ha sabido ejercer como nexo fructífero en la evolución de las ciencias, las artes y las ideas y muchos son los pensadores y científicos que desde todo nuestro país dejaron una huella imborrable en la historia de la Humanidad.
Sin duda, nuestro legado cultural e histórico nos predispone para realizar valiosas aportaciones al conocimiento, a la sabiduría común y al entendimiento entre comunidades y personas de distintas procedencias y tradiciones. Y tengan por seguro que como Rey tendré siempre muy presente este valioso legado y hare lo posible para favorecer su continuidad.
La vocación mediterránea de España está sobradamente contrastada y ofrece hitos destacados. En efecto, España ha demostrado en el pasado su capacidad y su voluntad para asumir un papel destacado en los esfuerzos de la Comunidad Internacional por encontrar soluciones pacíficas y sostenibles a los conflictos y desafíos que persisten en el Mediterráneo y Oriente Medio. Sirvan como ejemplos la Conferencia de Paz de Madrid de 1991 y el Proceso Euro-Mediterráneo de Barcelona de 1995.
"...nuestro legado cultural e histórico nos predispone para realizar valiosas aportaciones al conocimiento, a la sabiduría común y al entendimiento entre comunidades y personas de distintas procedencias y tradiciones. Y tengan por seguro que como Rey tendré siempre muy presente este valioso legado y hare lo posible para favorecer su continuidad..."
Above all, it is an undertaking on which we work every day.
Our policies are based on a firm conviction that within the relations between the two shores of the Mediterranean, true cooperation must grow, to address the great and multiple challenges placed upon all of us today; at this very hour with pressing urgency, and also well ahead into the future with deep and longstanding consequences.
The Mediterranean must be the shared space of peace, prosperity and stability for which our citizens yearn.
This goal requires a joint responsibility that goes beyond the countries of the Mediterranean. Because the stability and prosperity of European societies is —and has always been— closely linked to the destiny of the countries of the Middle East and North Africa.
I would like to take the opportunity presented by this Congress, to reaffirm Spain's unwavering commitment to championing initiatives that help offer effective political and economic responses to the challenges posed by the region.
Our differences and respective circumstances should not prevent us from giving meaning and substance to a relationship of cooperation, seeking common ground for joint action.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Over the coming days, you will discuss a region that is once again in the midst of considerable change.
Indeed, the Mediterranean's history has often been complex and intense, affecting or extending to other areas of the world, as we have witnessed in recent years.
However, we must always keep in mind that the countries of the Middle East and North Africa are also home to young, dynamic and creative people who want to fulfil their dreams, who are proud of their identity, call for their deserved human dignity, and who also naturally −and legitimately− feel they are global citizens.
I am sure that all of you have, as distinguished members of the academic world, are able to imbue the public debate with the clarity, perspective and intellectual rigor that we all need in times of uncertainty.
In this regard, I encourage you to debate with the spirit of intellectual tolerance and mutual respect that undoubtedly permeates this Congress.
I also wish you a very pleasant stay in Spain, in Andalucía, in Seville. Enjoy the wonderful side-programmes, like tonight’s event at the Reales Alcazares, a UNESCO world heritage site, that still remains in full and actual use as a Royal Palace and hosts a wide array of cultural, economic and institutional events in this city. And I hope that you take back to your countries the invaluable knowledge and insight that open and sincere debate always provides.
Thank you very much and wish you all great success.