Latest news with #RoyalInitiative
Maroc
4 days ago
- Politics
- Maroc
Kenya's Backing of Morocco's Autonomy Plan Sparks Wide Coverage in Kenyan Press
Kenya's support for Morocco's autonomy plan to resolve the artificial conflict over the Moroccan Sahara has dominated national headlines, with local media hailing it as a major turning point in bilateral ties between Rabat and Nairobi. The outlet Citizen emphasized that this official position marks Kenya's alignment with the international momentum in support of Morocco's sovereignty over its southern provinces. It also recalled the opening on Monday of Kenya's embassy in Rabat, described as a new milestone in six decades of diplomatic relations between the two countries. For its part, Nation focused on the joint statement issued following the meeting between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, and Kenya's Prime Cabinet Secretary and Cabinet Secretary for Foreign and Diaspora Affairs Musalia Mudavadi. The daily underscored Nairobi's explicit recognition of the Moroccan plan as the only sustainable approach to resolving the Sahara issue, breaking with previous positions. According to KBC, Kenya's decision comes in a context of growing support for the Moroccan autonomy initiative, driven by HM King Mohammed VI's leadership. The public broadcaster also noted Nairobi's commitment to cooperating with other states that share this vision to promote the implementation of the autonomy plan. Kenyans highlighted Nairobi's support for the Royal Initiative aimed at providing landlocked Sahel countries with strategic access to global trade routes through the Kingdom's Atlantic ports. This Royal Initiative, the newspaper added, aligns with Kenya's willingness to strengthen regional economic integration. MAP: 27 mai 2025
Morocco World
08-05-2025
- Politics
- Morocco World
Bourita: For King Mohammed VI, Atlantic Africa is a Geostrategic Heart
Doha – Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, made an important statement at the 5th ministerial meeting of the African Atlantic States Process (AASP) in Praia, Cape Verde. 'For His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, Atlantic Africa cannot be a periphery of the global world. It is a geostrategic heart, a dynamic interface between continents, a matrix of innovation and resilience,' Bourita declared on Thursday. 'Our duty is to make it a reality, a visible, tangible and sustainable reality,' he added. The Moroccan minister described the African Atlantic Partnership as both a strategic instrument and a political, economic, and human process. He noted that this partnership carries 'the ambition of an Africa that no longer suffers the winds of history, but chooses its direction and charts its course, with lucidity, confidence and unity.' He praised the 'vivacity, coherence, constancy, and collective determination' of the participating countries to establish the African Atlantic space as 'a dynamic of action, solidarity, and co-prosperity.' 'The African Atlantic space is no longer a geographical abstraction. It is now a strategic, endogenous and assumed reality,' Bourita stated, insisting it is a 'reality carried by a common conviction: that our future will be safer, more prosperous, and more sustainable if we build it together.' The 'Royal Initiative' has given birth to an unprecedented Afro-African partnership that embodies the essence of shared responsibility, he argued. It has laid the foundations for a new paradigm of cooperation – both pragmatic in its approach and ambitious in its aims: sustainable development, maritime security, environmental protection, and combating transnational threats. 'Atlantic Africa is today at an inflection point. It is scrutinized, courted, but also faced with multiple, systemic and transversal threats,' Bourita continued. He called on African Atlantic states to make 'an audible, credible and operational voice' heard, as other geostrategic spaces organize themselves in Europe, America and Asia. 'This can be done by strengthening our transregional anchoring, expanding cooperation circles, and deepening our synergies,' the top diplomat concluded. 'It is not just a political ambition, but an imperative of sovereignty and development.' From vision to reality This Atlantic vision connects directly with Morocco's initiative launched in November 2023 to provide landlocked Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean through Moroccan infrastructure. The initiative addresses a key handicap of Sahelian economies – lack of sea access. The ambitious project centers on the Dakhla Atlantique complex – currently under construction in Western Sahara. This port, covering 1,650 hectares, is designed as a gateway to the Sahel and is expected to be completed by late 2028. Moroccan authorities plan to transform this infrastructure into a logistical hub connecting major West African ports (Abidjan, Lomé, Cotonou, Dakar) with those of Tangier and Casablanca. A road corridor approximately 2,200 km long will connect this new port to Mali via Mauritania, with extensions to Ouagadougou, Niamey, and N'Djamena. In April, Foreign Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger – members of the Sahel States Alliance (AES) – met with King Mohammed VI in Rabat to express their 'total adherence and commitment' to 'accelerate implementation' of the Atlantic Initiative. Niger's Minister Bakary Yaou Sangaré stressed Morocco's crucial role during a period when ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) and other international actors were putting pressure on the Sahel's transitional governments. 'At a time when they were about to declare war on us, Morocco expressed its solidarity with us,' he asserted. Burkina Faso's Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré noted that his country is already working on technical and logistical aspects to implement the Atlantic proposal, stating the initiative isn't limited to physical sea access but marks the beginning of a fundamental economic transformation. This active diplomacy is also a means for Morocco to gain the upper hand over its regional rival Algeria, a historical mediator in the Sahel, now at daggers drawn with the AES countries. The Sahelian bloc accused Algeria of interference and supporting destabilizing insurgent groups. In early April, the three countries recalled their ambassadors to Algiers after Algeria allegedly shot down a Malian army drone. In line with this dynamic, Marrakech hosted a ministerial coordination meeting dedicated to the Atlantic Initiative on December 23, 2023. Under the auspices of Bourita, this meeting brought together Sahelian ministers and a representative from Chad, marking a first concrete step toward implementing the ambitious Royal Vision. During today's gathering, he noted that Morocco's empirical approach is reflected in key initiatives such as the Forum of Ministers of Justice (April 2024), the Presidents of Parliaments meeting (February 2025), and the Conference on Maritime Security and Counterterrorism (January 2025). Through this initiative and its diplomatic actions, Morocco confirms its status as an emerging African power, working for an integrated, resilient, and sovereign Africa. Tags: Atlantic initiativeNasser Bourita
Maroc
29-04-2025
- Business
- Maroc
Morocco, Finland to Enhance Economic & Trade Ties
Morocco's Minister of Industry and Trade, Ryad Mezzour, met with Finland's Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, Ville Tavio, in Rabat on Monday to discuss enhancing economic and trade relations between the two countries. During these discussions, the officials explored opportunities for collaboration, particularly in the areas of digital connectivity, industry, logistics, and ecological transition and renewable energy. On this occasion, Tavio, accompanied by a delegation of companies, told the press that several promising sectors had been identified, including the construction of 5G networks. He also praised the cooperation in port logistics, calling it "an area of excellence in Finland." Tavio further reaffirmed the need to strengthen cooperation and trade exchanges between Morocco, Finland, and the European Union, particularly amid the current global geopolitical situation. For his part, Mezzour emphasized the importance of developing the economic and trade partnership between the two countries, particularly through support for Moroccan and Finnish businesses. He highlighted the shared will to further integrate Moroccan companies into development projects in Africa, adding that this cooperation is part of the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco's Trade minister also noted that this cooperation should open new investment and growth opportunities for both Morocco and Finland, while contributing to the prosperity of the concerned populations. In a similar statement, the Secretary of State for Foreign Trade, Omar Hejira, who attended the meeting, pointed out the importance of developing a new framework for Morocco's foreign trade policy, targeting new European markets while maintaining traditional partnerships. "The Finnish market is an important one with which we are achieving significant figures," he said, noting that the discussions covered the opportunities offered by these markets and the measures to be put in place to better exploit them in the future. The Finnish delegation, consisting of representatives from companies specializing in digital technologies and renewable energy, will undertake a three-day visit, which will include, in addition to Rabat, stops in Casablanca and Tangier. This diplomatic and commercial mission reflects the growing interest of European countries in Morocco's economic potential, particularly within the framework of the European Union's strategy to diversify its supply chains and strengthen its partnerships with Mediterranean neighboring countries. MAP: 28 avril 2025
Morocco World
15-04-2025
- Business
- Morocco World
Estonia Reaffirms Support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan for Western Sahara
Rabat – Estonia has reaffirmed its support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, calling it a 'serious and credible basis' for resolving the long-standing dispute. The announcement came during the visit of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita to Tallinn, the first ever visit by a Moroccan foreign minister to Estonia. Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna made the statement during a joint press conference with Bourita. He also encouraged other governments to adopt the same position in support of Morocco's plan. During the talks, Estonia praised Morocco's leadership and role in promoting peace, stability, and development in the region. Tsahkna noted the importance his country places on strengthening relations with Morocco. Both ministers confirmed their shared desire to boost the partnership between Estonia and Morocco in several key areas, including the digital sector and renewable energy. They also encouraged business leaders in both countries to explore new economic opportunities and hold joint forums to build connections. Tsahkna pointed to the Joint Declaration signed in Rabat on October 21, 2024, as a clear roadmap for expanding cooperation between the two countries. The declaration welcomed Morocco's political stability and the ambitious reforms led by King Mohammed VI. Estonia also praised Morocco's regional efforts, especially initiatives launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI. These include the Royal Initiative to give Sahel countries access to the Atlantic Ocean, the Atlantic African States Process, and the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project. Estonia expressed interest in Morocco's growing economic role in Africa and its location as a gateway to the continent. The Estonian government said it hopes to launch joint projects with Morocco in Africa, particularly in digital and energy transitions. The meeting in Tallinn demonstrated both countries' shared commitment to strengthening political dialogue, boosting trade, and working together on global issues of mutual concern. Tags: EstoniaWestern sahara
Jordan Times
05-03-2025
- General
- Jordan Times
Jordan's Royal initiative provides a lifeline for Gaza's injured children
Sael, one of the beneficiaries of the Royal Initiative to treat 2,000 children from Gaza through the Jordan Medical Corridor, expresses his joy when his family received a phone call offering treatment in Jordan (Petra photo) AMMAN — Ten-year-old Sael Arafat never imagined that a simple trip to buy coffee for his family would lead him to unknowingly purchase the world's most expensive coffee, a cost that will follow him for the rest of his life. Speaking to the Jordan News Agency, Petra, Sael recounted how he was injured by shrapnel from an explosion on his way to buy coffee, resulting in the amputation of his right leg. Sael, one of the beneficiaries of the Royal Initiative to treat 2,000 children from Gaza through the Jordan Medical Corridor, expressed his joy when his family received a phone call offering treatment in Jordan. "I was overjoyed when we received the call for treatment in Jordan for a prosthetic limb that will allow me to walk again and enjoy my childhood," said Sael. His father, Arafat Satari, expressed deep gratitude to His Majesty King Abdullah for this gesture, stressing that this is not the first time the King has extended his support to the Palestinian people. Meanwhile, Sidra Bardini's mother shared her heartbreaking story, explaining that her daughter had lost one of her hands and they had almost resigned themselves to the fact that she would live her life with one hand. "But by God's will, my daughter will now have a new hand through this Royal initiative, which will provide her with a prosthesis that will help her for the rest of her life," her mother added. Mohammad Adnan Amwas expressed a similar sense of hope, despite the pain and destruction they have endured. "Even though we've suffered a lot, we feel hopeful when we see the efforts of Jordan and the Jordanian armed forces who came to the remotest parts of Gaza to bring our children to safety and distribute them to Jordanian hospitals for treatment, easing their pain," he said, expressing joy that his son Bilal, who was injured in his left eye, benefited from the Royal treatment initiative at the Royal Medical Services. Marium Najjar's mother spoke of how the Jordanian Royal initiative had restored her hope. Marium had long suffered from seizures and fainting spells, exacerbated by the difficulty of accessing medical care in Gaza, especially with the destruction of hospitals by the occupation forces. "The Royal initiative has given us new hope for our daughter's treatment in Jordanian hospitals," she said. In a humanitarian milestone, the Jordan Armed Forces and the Ministry of Health received on Monday evening the first batch of 26 children who crossed the King Hussein Bridge for treatment in Jordanian hospitals, in accordance with Royal directives. Upon arrival, the Ministry of Health immediately provided the children with the national immunisation programme before transferring them to hospitals for further treatment. This initiative aims to treat 2,000 children from Gaza in Jordanian hospitals, who will be returned to Gaza upon completion of their treatment. International organisations have expressed their willingness to support this humanitarian effort, recognising Jordan's continued commitment to helping those in need.
