Latest news with #AfricanCooperation
Maroc
a day ago
- Politics
- Maroc
UK Position Will Strengthen Momentum Around Moroccan Sahara Issue Under HM the King's Leadership
The position expressed by the United Kingdom regarding the Moroccan Sahara will help reinforce the momentum this issue has gained under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, stated Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on Sunday in Rabat. This position represents "a significant development," given that the United Kingdom is a permanent member of the United Nations Security Council and a member of the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara, noted Bourita during a press briefing with the Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, David Lammy. In this regard, the minister noted that "four countries within the Group of Friends of the UN Secretary-General on the Sahara have now joined this dynamic and expressed support for the Autonomy Initiative—namely France, the United States, Spain, and now the United Kingdom." Bourita also emphasized that the United Kingdom has always been an influential and credible voice at the European, UN, and international levels. He added that this position will also have positive economic implications, as UK Export Finance may consider supporting investment projects in the southern provinces of the Kingdom. He stressed that Morocco does not view the growing support for its position on the Sahara as a privilege or a means of maintaining the status quo, but rather as a factor that can help bring about a resolution to a conflict that has lasted more than 50 years. Bourita noted that the United Nations and the international community now have a real opportunity to reach a definitive solution to this dispute, based on the Autonomy Initiative proposed by Morocco within the framework of its sovereignty. He expressed hope that all parties will engage seriously in finding a lasting resolution to the issue. Furthermore, Bourita described Lammy's visit to the Kingdom as "historic" in many respects. He explained that this is the first visit by a UK Foreign Secretary to Morocco since 2011, and it will allow for a qualitative leap in bilateral relations. It also provided an opportunity to hold the 5th session of the Strategic Dialogue between the two countries and to discuss various bilateral and regional issues. "This visit is also significant and historic in that it enabled the United Kingdom to express its position on the Moroccan Sahara," the minister added, noting that the joint communiqué signed on this occasion affirms that the United Kingdom "considers the Autonomy Proposal presented [by Morocco] in 2007 as the most credible, serious, and pragmatic basis for a lasting resolution to the regional dispute" over the Moroccan Sahara, and "will continue to act at the bilateral level, particularly in economic matters, as well as regionally and internationally, in line with this position." Bourita also stated that this visit marks a turning point in relations between the two countries. He emphasized that, in line with the High Royal Directives aimed at diversifying and strengthening partnerships, Morocco has engaged in a dialogue to further develop "our bilateral relations based on the centuries-old ties between the two countries and the special relationship uniting the two Royal Families." As a result, the minister stressed that the two countries are working to inject new momentum into their bilateral relations and to elevate the Morocco-UK partnership to cover all sectors, including the economy, security, culture, defense, investment, education, and scientific research. In addition, Bourita recalled that four agreements were signed on this occasion, with more expected to be concluded in the coming two days, giving new impetus to Morocco–UK relations and ushering in a new era of bilateral cooperation. (MAP: 02 June 2025)
Ya Biladi
4 days ago
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security
On Friday in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, met with João Cravinho, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Sahel region. Following the meeting, Cravinho told the press that the EU enjoys a «fruitful and very strong relationship» with Morocco, describing it as highly versatile and covering multiple areas. He emphasized that cooperation and dialogue with the Kingdom are a «top priority». «The close ties Morocco maintains with the Sahel countries provide us with valuable insights, a deeper understanding, and opportunities to identify joint initiatives that benefit the people of the Sahel», Cravinho said. He highlighted that the Sahel region is «fragile both in terms of security and socio-economic conditions — two closely linked challenges that require urgent attention». He added that both the EU and Morocco have a critical role to play in addressing these issues. Cravinho also explained that his visit aims to explore ways to strengthen the EU-Morocco partnership regarding the Sahel, with the goal of advancing peace and security for the region's populations.
Maroc
7 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Technical Delegation from Morocco's Foreign Ministry Visits Syria to Operationalize Royal Decision to Reopen Embassy in Damascus
In line with the decision of HM King Mohammed VI to reopen the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Damascus, a technical delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates visited the Syrian capital to finalize the necessary arrangements for the embassy's reopening. During the visit, the Moroccan delegation held discussions with senior officials from the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Expatriates, focusing on the logistical, legal, and diplomatic components required to operationalize this decision. These talks form part of the implementation of the High Royal Instructions aimed at restoring full diplomatic relations between the two brotherly nations. It is worth recalling that HM King Mohammed VI announced the decision to reopen Morocco's embassy in Damascus during His speech to the 34th Arab Summit, held on May 17 in Baghdad. The embassy had remained closed since 2012. In His speech, the Sovereign emphasized that this step 'will contribute to opening up broader prospects for the historical bilateral relations between our countries and our peoples in the two sister nations.' MAP: 27 mai 2025
Maroc
27-05-2025
- Business
- Maroc
FM Outlines Govt. Approach to Boosting Moroccan Diaspora's Role in Development
Recognizing the vital role of Moroccans living abroad in the country's development, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita emphasized Monday the government's approach to preserving their identity and safeguarding their rights. Speaking during a question session at the Lower House, Bourita noted that these efforts focus on providing the community with adequate administrative services and facilitating their effective contribution—as investors and skilled professionals—to Morocco's economic growth. Bourita emphasized that Moroccans living abroad are held in high regard by HM King Mohammed VI, highlighting the Royal Speech of November 6, 2024, which called for a renewed approach to addressing the issues of the expatriate community. In this regard, he noted that, as an integral component of the Moroccan nation, addressing their issues should never be circumstantial or ad hoc but should rather build on the achievements made, such as the Marhaba operation. He added that the government is acting on the clear Royal Instructions outlined in the speech by working on proposals to restructure institutions and put the Sovereign's goals into action. On a separate note, Bourita pointed out that the Kingdom does not benefit from the added value of Moroccan businessmen and investors living abroad, especially considering that only 10% of the transfers from this community—exceeding MAD 117 billion—are allocated to investment. He noted that the High Royal Guidelines contained in the speech, which addressed both the institutional framework and the creation of the Mohammadia Foundation for Moroccans Residing Abroad, gave this issue a central place. The minister further called for involving Moroccans of the world in the development and implementation of laws, including those related to investment, in order to better take into account their specificities and constraints, and to benefit from their expertise. "The High Royal Instructions have been clear in this regard: Moroccans of the world are capable of significantly contributing to the country's development as investors, provided that procedures are adapted to their specificities." MAP: 27 mai 2025
Ya Biladi
22-05-2025
- Politics
- Ya Biladi
Sahara : Slovakia joins growing international support for Morocco's autonomy plan
As part of the growing international momentum supporting Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and the Kingdom's autonomy initiative, Slovakia has recognized the Moroccan proposal, submitted to the UN Secretary-General on April 11, 2007, as a serious and credible basis for a final resolution under United Nations auspices. This position was outlined in a joint declaration signed on Thursday in Rabat, following a meeting between Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Slovakia's Minister of Foreign and European Affairs, Juraj Blanár. The joint declaration stated: «Slovakia welcomes the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the political process forward towards resolution and supports reaching a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, based on compromise, consistent with the principles and purposes of the Charter of the United Nations, within the framework of all relevant resolutions adopted by the United Nations Security Council, including the most recent resolution S/RES/2756 of October 31st, 2024». With this new and reinforced stance, Slovakia joins the growing number of countries backing Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara and its autonomy initiative, which continues to gain international recognition and support.
