Astrid Pérez, President of the Canary Islands Parliament, hosted a farewell meeting with Moroccan Consul General Fatiha El Kamouri this week, marking the end of her four-year tenure in the archipelago. During this period, El Kamouri played a pivotal role in deepening institutional cooperation between Morocco and the Canary Islands.

In recognition of her dedicated service, Pérez expressed sincere appreciation for El Kamouri’s contributions, emphasizing the strengthened dialogue and collaborative framework between the two institutions. She also extended her best wishes for El Kamouri’s future professional endeavors.

Originally from Western Sahara, Fatiha El Kamouri arrived in the Canary Islands in 2022 after serving for six years as Morocco’s consul in Bilbao. Her tenure in northern Spain was marked by extensive engagement with institutional relations and support for the Moroccan community residing in the region.

Local sources in the Canary Islands have underscored the significant positive impact of El Kamouri’s diplomatic efforts in fostering closer ties between the regional government—led by President Fernando Clavijo—and Morocco. Her work has been particularly influential in aligning the Canary Islands’ regional policies with Spain’s national stance on the Moroccan autonomy initiative for Western Sahara, reflecting a shared commitment to regional stability and economic cooperation.

Under Clavijo’s leadership, the Canary Islands have embraced Morocco as a key partner, transcending mere diplomatic courtesy to address critical security concerns, stability factors, and substantial economic opportunities. The region’s strategic approach includes high-level visits to Morocco and the signing of multiple collaboration agreements across diverse sectors.

A notable example of this evolving relationship is the recent reception of a delegation from the Souss-Massa region in Las Palmas. Led by Karim Achengli and over 80 business representatives, this visit translated political rhetoric into tangible actions, demonstrating the region’s commitment to practical engagement.

The partnership between the Canary Islands and Morocco spans several strategic sectors. Canary Islands’ expertise in water desalination, infrastructure management, and technological research has found valuable applications in Morocco’s southern provinces. This collaboration has fostered an environment where enterprises from both regions are actively pursuing joint ventures, reinforcing the foundation for lasting peace and shared prosperity.

The transformative impact of El Kamouri’s diplomatic work over the past four years has been a driving force behind this evolving relationship, positioning the Canary Islands as a natural partner in Morocco’s development trajectory.