In a fruitful and successful tour of Europe, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, M. Nasser Bourita took up two important visits to important economic and political partners for the Kingdom of Morocco to cement their relations for the future.
This European tour started with the Republic of Italy where the Vice-President of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Italy, Antonio Tajani stated that Morocco is a strategic partner of Italy for security in the Mediterranean region, with which it is essential to work for the stability and prosperity of the region, he announced a forthcoming visit to the Kingdom.
"Morocco is an essential country in our southern neighborhood, which can always count on Italy as a friendly country within the European Union," stressed the head of Italian diplomacy in a statement issued after his meeting on Wednesday with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.
The Italian Deputy Prime Minister stressed his government's "firm commitment" to deepening bilateral relations through the full implementation of the ambitious action plan for the implementation of the multidimensional strategic partnership signed during Bourita's working visit to Italy, which "aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and energy fields, as well as in the security, cultural, migration and consular fields."
During the visit, the two ministers agreed on "the need for a joint process that can effectively respond to the challenges that affect both countries."
The meeting, "which took place in a particularly positive climate for bilateral relations between the two countries," represents "a new stage in the Italian government's Mediterranean diplomatic strategy and provided an opportunity to explore the main issues of bilateral and regional cooperation," the Italian ministry added.
On the main regional and international issues, the common views between Rome and Rabat were confirmed, in particular with regard to the fight against terrorism, the stability and prosperity of Libya, the Middle East peace process and the stabilization of the Sahel.
Italy commended Morocco's "serious and credible efforts" to find a solution to the Sahara issue, in the Action Plan for the implementation of the Multidimensional Strategic Partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Italian Republic. Referring to the Moroccan autonomy initiative, Italy also reaffirms "its support for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General to pursue the political process aimed at achieving a just, realistic, pragmatic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution to the Sahara issue, based on compromise in accordance with Resolution 2654",
The second leg of this European tour took the Minister to Germany, where Morocco and Germany welcomed, on Thursday, the close and friendly relations between the two countries, as well as the positive dynamic that has characterized the bilateral relationship since the adoption of the joint declaration in August 2022, which constitutes a roadmap for strengthening these ties in all areas.
At a press conference after a meeting in Berlin between Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Annalena Baerbock, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, reaffirmed their shared desire to further deepen long-standing bilateral relations, with a view to establishing a stronger, forward-looking partnership.
Minister Bourita pointed out that the historic relationship between Morocco and Germany has been undergoing a very positive dynamic since the letter addressed to His Majesty King Mohammed VI by German President Steinmeier, and the visit to Morocco by Annalena Baerbock last August.
The Minister pointed out that His Majesty the King had given His High Instructions to make Germany one of the Kingdom's priority strategic partners, on the basis of mutual trust and respect, and the defense of the mutual interests of both countries.
The two Ministers hailed the launch next year of the Multidimensional Strategic Dialogue, as set out in the joint declaration adopted on the occasion of Baerbock's visit to Morocco on August 25, 2022.
In this regard, Bourita pointed out that the establishment of this strategic dialogue bears witness to the shared determination of the two countries to further deepen this partnership.
The two Ministers also hailed the excellent level of bilateral economic and trade relations, and reaffirmed their desire to strengthen them and open them up to new sectors, notably renewable energies, infrastructure and digitalization. To this end, they underlined their shared interest in intensifying and pursuing this cooperation, in order to broaden its scope and consolidate its achievements.
Bourita and Baerbock also underlined the relevance of the long-standing bilateral security partnership, and welcomed the strengthening of this partnership to continue to tackle common challenges together, notably through high-level exchanges.
The two Ministers highlighted the close collaboration between the two countries in the field of migration, and underlined the rational approach followed in managing this issue.
In the same vein, the two government officials stressed the importance of bilateral cultural and academic cooperation in promoting human and economic development.
In the field of climate change, the two Ministers reaffirmed their shared desire to advocate an ambitious international commitment to combat the effects of climate change and encourage action to mitigate this effect. Baerbock underlined the leading role played by Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, particularly in the fight against climate change.
The two Ministers underlined the convergence of their views on a range of regional and international issues, and pledged to pursue consultation and coordination, notably on the situation in Libya, the Sahel and the Middle East.
Germany reiterated its support for the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Sahara, presented in 2007, as a "serious and credible" effort by the Kingdom and a "very good basis for a solution accepted by the parties".
At the end of her meeting in Berlin with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on a working visit to Germany, the head of German diplomacy, Annalena Baerbock, reiterated Germany's "long-standing support for the UN-led process for a realistic, pragmatic, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution".
On this occasion, the two ministers reiterated their common position in favor of the "exclusivity" of the UN in the political process, while reaffirming their support for the relevant UN Security Council resolutions, which have noted the role and responsibility of the parties in the search for a realistic, pragmatic, lasting political solution based on compromise.
The two countries also reaffirmed their support for the UN Secretary-General's Personal Envoy, Staffan de Mistura, and his efforts to move the political process forward on the basis of the relevant UN Security Council resolutions.
