The objective of André Azoulay's visit to Egypt

On the eve of launching the Anna Lindh Foundation's new three year programme, Mr. André Azoulay, President of the Foundation and Counsellor of His Majesty King Mohamed VI of Morocco, will be visiting Egypt from 13 to 15 December 2008. Taking into consideration the prominent role played by Egypt in forging the future of the Arab World, the visit of Mr. Azoulay represents a great opportunity in the way of building on the new momentum of "Barcelona Process: Union for the Mediterranean".
Seen as one of the major leaders in the region, Egypt was the initiator of Middle East peace process, a process in line with the Barcelona Process’s long-term objective to build a region of cooperation, exchange, peace and stability. Furthermore, Egypt is leading an important process, co-chaired with France, on the "Union for the Mediterranean", a process which will involve and has considerable implications for people living and working across Egypt, the Mediterranean region and Europe.

In this context the visit of President Azoulay is two-folded. From one side it aims to coordinate with Egyptian officials on the role Egypt has to play in this Union. And from the other side to mobilize Egyptian Media and civil society to actively participate in shaping this "Union for the Mediterranean". Accordingly, the Anna Lindh Foundation is co-organizing together with the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs a conference on "the role of Egypt in the Union for the Mediterranean", as well as the central role played by the Anna Lindh Foundation in this Union. Members of the panel are Mr. Boutros Boutros Ghaly, Ambassador Ahmed Maher, Dr. Farouk Hosny, and Dr. Ismail Serrag El-Din The conference is taking place on 15 December, and will gather more than 200 participants, including Euromed ambassadors in Egypt, local and foreign journalists, representatives of civil society organizations, Egyptian artists, researchers, intellectuals and businessmen. André Azoulay will also meet with Mr. Amr Moussa, Secretary General of the League of Arab States, to discuss the current political and cultural situation in the region.

About André Azoulay

Born in Essaouira-Mogador (Morocco) in 1941, André Azoulay was educated in Paris where he studied journalism, Economics, and International Relations. He graduated by the French High School of Journalism (CFI) in 1962, he made his specialization in economics, finance in Brussels and Paris (1963).

As Counsellor of His Majesty the late King Hassan II from 1991 to 1999, and since then of His Majesty Mohammed VI, André Azoulay has largely contributed to the implementation of economic reforms which have been applied throughout the Kingdom since their inception in the early 90s.

Also in his capacity as Advisor to H.M. the King, A. Azoulay has helped to promote the image of Morocco throughout the world and to improve the relations with the European Union and the USA.

Mr Azoulay is also known for his input in the follow-up of the peace process in the Middle East and the many initiatives he has been involved in the perspective of deepening the logic of reconciliation between Jews and Muslims ; in addition to his professional responsibilities André Azoulay has always fought for peace and dialogue between the Arab Muslim world and that of the Jewish communities in Europe, the United States, Morocco as well as the Arab and Jewish diasporas worldwide. In this vein he created the “Identité et Dialogue” group in 1974 in Paris, first organisation to be formed consisting of Jewish intellectuals calling for a Palestinian State living in peace side by side with Israel.

For over 30 years A. Azoulay has taken an active part in supporting the activities of different movements and associations whose vocation is to help the process of better understanding and mutual respect between Islam and the Western World.
President of the Executive Committee of the Foundation of the Three Cultures and the Three Religions based in Seville (Spain), he is also member of he Foundation for the Protection of Judeo-Moroccan Heritage as well as the C-100 (Davos Forum for the Dialogue of Civilizations and Religions).

Andre Azoulay was nominated in August 2005 member of the “High Level Group” for the “Alliance of Civilizations", set up by the General Secretary of the United Nations. Instigated by Spain and co-sponsored by Turkey, this initiative is addressing the issue of the relations between Islam and the Western World.

In this context, and in recognition to his fervent engagement in reinforcing mutual understanding between the West and the Arab World, Mr. Azoulay was elected unanimously, in April 2008, President of the Anna Lindh Euro-Mediterranean Foundation for the Dialogue between Cultures for three years.