Assahafa.com
The 15th session of the Morocco-European Union (EU) Association Council, which ended on Thursday in Brussels, was marked by a joint reaffirmation of deep and vital ties between Morocco and the EU and their shared ambition to elevate the partnership.
Meeting on the eve of the 30th anniversary of their Association, the two parties emphasized the strength and historical depth of their partnership, which, long before signing the Association Agreement on February 26, 1996, was “forged by more than half a century of cooperation and mutual trust.”
The joint Communiqué between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Kaja Kallas thus emphasized these “strategic, long-standing, rich, multidimensional, and privileged” relations.
The joint Communiqué also reiterated the firm commitment of both parties to enshrine this “equal” partnership, capitalizing on the achievements of the “Advanced Status” and the “Shared Prosperity Partnership” and elevating it to new heights.
In this regard, he welcomed the very positive assessment made by the Association Council concerning the progress achieved in the four pillars of cooperation identified by both parties at the previous session. The joint Communiqué thus welcomed the substantial progress made in “the four structural areas: (i) Area of convergence of values, (ii) Economic convergence and social cohesion, (iii) Shared knowledge, and (iv) Political consultation and enhanced security cooperation.”
These achievements are presented as evidence of “the vitality and resilience of our partnership and our shared ability to meet the challenges of our time,” the Communiqué notes.
Furthermore, welcoming “the strength of our partnership,” which is “also illustrated by the breadth and diversity of our cooperation in all areas,” the joint Communiqué recalls that “Morocco remains the main beneficiary of EU funding in North Africa, complemented by structural investments supported by the European Investment Bank.” Thus, in addition to the “approximate annual amount of €270 million during the period 2021-2024” – i.e., €1.11 billion over four years, as mentioned in the joint Communiqué – Morocco will receive financial support for investments of nearly €2.8 billion for the same period, for a cumulative total of €4 billion.
In addition, Bourita and Kallas stressed the crucial importance of the partnership between Morocco and the EU in providing concerted responses to regional and global challenges, reiterating their willingness to deepen their cooperation in international fora to promote just and lasting peace.
With regard to the Middle East, the joint Communiqué reiterated support for the work of the “Al-Quds Committee, chaired by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in favor of lasting peace and stability in the Middle East.”
Finally, the two parties committed to bolster their political dialogue through the annual holding of a high-level dialogue between the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and the EU High Representative. They agreed to deepen their future strategic partnership in all priority areas, including security, industry, digital technology, and strategic investments.
The joint Communiqué concludes the 15th session of the Morocco-EU Association Council, held on Thursday in Brussels under the joint chairmanship of Bourita and Kallas.
The Association Council’s work was also attended by Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica, and several European foreign ministers, notably from Spain, the Netherlands, Slovakia, Estonia, the Czech Republic, and Malta, as well as senior representatives from all EU member States.
Source: map
