Cairo Opera House, 3 March 2009: Renowned Egyptian singer Mohamed Mounir and leading Spanish musician Maria Del Mar delivered a stunning joint performance for the very first time together for the promotion of Arab-Euro cooperation and intercultural dialogue across the region.

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The event, which brought together civil society representatives and youth leaders as well as Arab and European ambassadors, was facilitated by the 'Anna Lindh Foundation', the cultural institution shared by the 43 countries of the Union for the Mediterranean which has its headquarters in Egypt.

Speaking at the opening of the event, Secretary General of the Arab League Amr Moussa said:
"The idea of this event emerged in a time of crisis, in a decade when people have been talking of a so-called Clash of Civilisations. This event is a symbol of the importance of cultural exchange and is a way of celebrating our cultural diversity"

The importance of cultural cooperation was reinforced by Benita Ferrero-Waldner, the European Union's Commissioner for External Affairs, who took the opportunity to put the event in the context recent regional events.

"The concert tonight should be dedicated to the people of Gaza. The event is an expression of our joint commitment for exchange, and we are acutely aware of the huge challenges for peace we have to face together."

During the event, Mounir and Maria Del Mar delivered a first joint public performance, fusing their unique cultural styles in a common musical expression, together with the support the Shams Ensemble from Syria.

At the Opera House, Andreu Claret, Executive Director of the Anna Lindh Foundation, said:

"Tonight, two of the finest musicians in our region have shared with us their musical backgrounds and their dreams of peace, freedom and co-existence in the region. The event is a reminder that across Europe and the Arab region, there are many individuals and civil society organisations that are dedicated to restore trust and build bridges"