'Morocco a respected, appreciated country'

The strong participation at the annual session of the Crans Montana Forum underlines that Morocco "is a valued and respected country", founding president of the forum, Jean Paul Carleton, said in this southern Moroccan city.

The participation of 800 people representing 112 countries "shows that Morocco is a respected and appreciated country throughout the world", he told the media after the closing ceremony of the forum on Saturday, Moroccan news agency MAP reported.

This year's meeting brought together illustrious figures from 36 African, 30 Asian, 31 European and 15 American countries, as well as more than 20 regional and international organisations, to promote and facilitate international cooperation and global growth.

The Crans Montana Forum works in close cooperation with institutional partners including the UN, Unesco, Unido, Iscesco, NATO, the European Union, the Council of Europe and the OPEC Fund for International Development.

The Monaco-headquartered forum, established in 1986, works to build a more humane and impartial world, delivered through the establishment and maintenance of a high level of stability, equity and security, it said.

Carleton said that the perfect organisation of Crans Montana Forum in Dakhla "underscores that all the future belongs to Morocco".

"There is an exceptionally pleasant thing that people are happy to come to Morocco," has said, adding that almost 400 applications for participation had to be turned down.

"Morocco is a catalyst for youth. There is progress in tradition and people are reassured to find a pleasant living environment thanks to a visionary dynasty," he underlined.

The annual session of Crans Montana Forum wrapped up Saturday night with an award ceremony that paid tribute to international figures from different backgrounds.

The 2015 Foundation Awards were awarded to former president of Estonia Arnold Ruutel, former Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero, Deputy Secretary General of the UN Philippe Douste Blazy, former French minister of ecology and sustainable development Jean Luis Borloo and President of the Economic Social and Environmental Council of Senegal, Aminata Tall.