President’s visit to Morocco includes old school

Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga is to visit Morocco from May 13-16, leading a delegation of business people and visiting the girls’ high school she attended following World War II, the president’s press office has announced.

The trip will begin May 13 with her arrival in Marrakech, where she will tour UNESCO World Heritage cultural sites and participate in a reception hosted by Latvian business leaders. The following day, before leaving for Casablanca, Vīķe-Freiberga is to visit the Mosque of Koutoubia and the Saadian tombs.

On May 15, the president will visit the Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, which is the third largest mosque in the world. She also is to meet with King Mohamed VI, Prime Minister Driss Jettou and parliamentary leaders. The president also will participate in a Latvian and Moroccan business forum before attending a state dinner hosted by the king.

Before returning to Latvia on May 16, Vīķe-Freiberga will visit the Al Khansa lycée in Casablanca. The president attended the high school, formerly known as the Collège Mers-Sultan, from 1953-1954. An addition to the school will be named in her honor.

Besides business leaders, Transport Minister Ainars Šlesers will accompany the president on her trip.

Andris Straumanis is a special correspondent for and a co-founder of Latvians Online. From 2000–2012 he was editor of the website.

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