An international conference dedicated to the theme of “Culture and cultural heritage: economic potential” took place in Minori.

The keynote speech was given by Professor Adalgiso Amendola, lecturer in International Economics at the University of Salento.

On 26 July 2012, the “CASA DEL MAGHREB ARABO” was inaugurated in the historic building of the former “Grand Hotel de Londres”, currently the headquarters of the Fondazione Mediterraneo

This was a historic day for Italy and Euro-Maghreb dialogue.”.
The President of the Fondazione Mediterraneo Michele Capasso and its members Pia Molinari, Caterina Arcidiacono, Claudio Azzolini and Vittorio di Pace welcomed participants to the event. Speeches were given by the Mayor of Naples, Luigi de Magistris, the Secretary-General of the Arab Maghreb Uninon Habib Ben Yahia, the Director general of Alesco Mohamed-El Aziz Ben Achour, the Minister Plenipotentiary of the Algerian Embassy Mohamed Mellah, The Tunisian Ambassador Naceur Mestiri, the Moroccan Ambassador Hassan Habouyoub, the Mauritanian Ambassador Moctar Ould Dahi, representatives from Libya, representatives of the Consular Body of Naples, the Mayor of Andrea Reale, as well as dignitaries civil, military and religious institutions and the world of science and culture in Italy and Maghreb countries.

The Mayor of Naples spoke of the event as a “historic day for Naples” and the UAM General Secretary Ben Yahia stated that “the Casa del Maghreb Arabo would play a major role in relations between Italy, Europe and the Arab Maghreb”.