The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, met, on Wednesday January 29th,2020 in Brussels, The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Mr. Josep Borrell.
They expressed their common ambition to promote the Euro-Moroccan Partnership for Shared Prosperity as an innovative framework for a strategic and privileged relationship, serving their mutual interests.
Both sides welcome the progress made since the 14th session of the Association Council held in June 2019. They agreed to carry on the implementation of this partnership, to reinforce its efficiency and to contribute together to forging the future of their relationship.
The Moroccan-EU partnership is more than ever necessary. Both Parties must join their efforts to stimulate regional cooperation for the benefit of stability, prosperity and inclusive development and in order to respond better to regional and global challenges.
On this occasion, the EU High Representative hailed Morocco’s stability, its deep reforms and the considerable steps taken on the road to modernization and development under the Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI. Mr. Borrell also underlined that the uniqueness of the Moroccan model, as well as the achievements of the EU-Morocco partnership in its political, economic, cultural and human dimensions, make the Kingdom a privileged partner of the European Union.
Concerning security challenges at the regional level, particularly in Libya and Sahel, both Parties reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the region and expressed their willingness to continue their support to a political solution, in particular in the Libyan crisis, on the basis of the Skhirat Political Agreement. In this context, the EU High Representative praised Morocco’s role in the case of Libya. The recent developments in the Middle East peace process were also reviewed.
Regarding the Sahara issue, both Sides reiterated their support for the UN political process aiming to reach a lasting, just, realistic, pragmatic, political and mutually acceptable solution. This solution needs to be based on compromise in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council, in particular the resolution N° 2494 of October 30th, 2019.
The EU High Representative took positive note of the serious and credible efforts of Morocco to this end and encouraged all the parties to continue their commitment in a spirit of realism and compromise.
