The way to Europe: with or without yashmak
The young man selling leather articles in the old bazaar of Rabat, Morocco, fluently spoke in Arabic, French and Spanish. He also knew English and said about ten Russian words which he had learnt from Russian tourists.
One can rarely meet tourists from Armenia in Rabat. Unlike Russians, Armenians get to the country of oranges with great difficulties. Morocco has no embassy in Armenia and Armenians need to fly to Kyiv.
Travel agencies in Armenia do not sell tour packages to Morocco.
The Strait of Gibraltar separates Morocco from Spain and Europe, i.e. Morocco is only 14 km away from Europe. Strolling along the streets of Rabat, you will never think that the roots of this African country come from Europe. However, in the 80s a Moroccan king appealed to the European Union for membership.
Today, Morocco is "floating" to Europe in the framework of the "European Neighborhood Policy." The EU assists Morocco in realisng political and economic reforms.
In Rabat, one can meet women dressed in black yashmak in all seasons and women wearing sleeveless dresses without headscarves.
The latter are undoubtedly foreigners who immediately draw the attention of local men.
The main problems the kingdom faces today are connected with human rights, gender equality, freedom of press, etc. According to the size of financial add received by the EU, Morocco is the third country with 40% illiterate population.
Side by side with blue waters of the Atlantic Ocean, tall palms, white buildings and colourful old city of Rabat - Medina, you will see African poverty.
If you get lost in the streets of Medina, you will easily find yourself at the flea market, where rags are sold near the piles of garbage and flies hover over the trays of food.
You can never know the real price of goods as the same product is sold at different prices. Everything depends on the buyer's ability to bargain. Compared with Armenia, prices in Morocco are lower. The average salary (€300) is far from being "miraculous" in Morocco. That is why Moroccans are looking for "happiness" outside the country.
Today, about 3 million 200 thousand Moroccan immigrants live in Europe. But migration is not a major concern for Morocco as the country's population has grown from 8 million to 31 million within 25 years.
With a territory of 446,550 sq km, Morocco is the 57th country in the world.
Local airports thoroughly clarify the aim of tourists' visit.
Karine Asatryan
Rabat-Yerevan
P.S.
The impression about Morocco was formed on October 25-30, during a visit to the country as part of a seminar "ENP and Neighbourhood Security: Developments in Morocco." The event brought together 30 journalists from Armenia, Georgia and Azerbaijan.
