The Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, welcomed, Monday in Rabat, the level of political dialogue between Morocco and Belgium as well as the remarkable dynamic brought to bilateral cooperation relations in recent years.
Akhannouch, who co-chaired with the Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo, the 3rd meeting of the High Joint Morocco-Belgium Partnership Commission, expressed his satisfaction with the qualitative evolution of Moroccan-Belgian relations in recent years , following the establishment of a rich and diversified legal framework for bilateral cooperation in various areas.
He thus welcomed the dynamic of bilateral cooperation relations through the increasing pace of exchanges of visits and experiences, as well as the agreements and planned executive programs.
This session, which intends to raise bilateral relations to the rank of a strategic partnership meeting the aspirations of the two countries, under the High Patronage of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, and HM King Philippe, represents a appropriate opportunity to assess the results of bilateral cooperation since the previous session, underlined the Head of Government.
According to Mr. Akhannouch, it is also an opportunity to think together about developing ways to establish effective partnerships, through concrete and constructive measures.
And added that this meeting is being held in a complex regional and international context, which now threatens international peace and stability and requires, more than ever, to intensify bilateral coordination and cooperation in order to face the threats that weigh on the security of the Euro-Mediterranean region in particular, and the Euro-African region in general.
Bilateral relations have demonstrated resilience and shown their capacity to absorb cyclical geopolitical shocks, he continued, noting that future challenges require that both parties intensify their efforts to develop bilateral diplomatic mechanisms, and strengthen coordination to overcome anything that could hinder joint action based on strong friendship, mutual trust, transparency and common objectives in the service of security, peace and growth in the Euro-African region. He further expressed the Kingdom's appreciation of Belgium's position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara, which supports the Moroccan autonomy initiative, as the most serious, realistic and credible basis for resolving this dispute. artificial, and welcomed Belgium's alignment alongside a group of European countries that have expressed explicit support for the autonomy initiative, and Morocco's efforts to resolve this dispute.
And to specify that the Kingdom of Morocco, faithful to the principles and values of constructive cooperation, is engaged in all positive initiatives aimed at developing the partnership within the framework of reciprocal interests and respect for sovereignty and integrity. of States, stressing that the success of this session constitutes an additional milestone in the building of advanced and strategic cooperative relations between the two Kingdoms.
As part of the efforts made by the Kingdom of Morocco to strengthen peace, stability and development in the African region, he added, His Majesty King Mohammed VI launched the Atlantic Initiative, which mainly aims to consolidate regional integration, as well as promoting dialogue, cooperation and coordination between countries in the Africa-Atlantic region, to address the challenges they face and seize the opportunities offered in terms of investment and economic development , in particular with the activation of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline, which will ensure the supply of gas to Europe through 13 African countries.
The Head of Government also noted that the Royal Atlantic Initiative will support the countries of the Sahel in the search for solutions to the crises and challenges they face, by accelerating their economic integration, their access to infrastructure and projects. structuring elements proposed by the initiative thanks to access to the Atlantic Ocean.
Akhannouch indicated that Morocco has a clear vision aimed at achieving its economic take-off, thanks to the multiple reforms initiated by the Kingdom, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, a vision which takes into account the strategic location of the Kingdom, and its high value-added opportunities in sectors such as the automotive and aeronautical industries, in light of the availability of infrastructure and logistics at international standards.
Despite the notable positive evolution of the economic partnership between the two countries, the current stage requires a strong involvement of Belgian economic partners in the construction process that Morocco is experiencing, he noted. It also requires investment in available opportunities, particularly given the advantages offered by the new Investment Charter, whether within the framework of bilateral or triangular cooperation targeting African markets from the Kingdom.
The holding of the Morocco-Belgium Business Forum scheduled for Tuesday and which will see a significant participation of economic players, is an opportunity to explore investment opportunities between the two countries in vital sectors such as renewable energies, hydrogen green, infrastructure projects and water management, also underlined Mr. Akhannouch. This Forum is also an opportunity for Morocco to highlight its multiple economic potentials, to encourage Belgian companies to invest in the Kingdom and to establish long-term cooperation between the two governments.
The consolidation of Moroccan-Belgian cooperation is likely to strengthen Morocco's advanced status with the European Union (EU), since Belgium is a founding and pivotal country and it assumes the current rotating presidency of the EU, he continued, stressing that Morocco is banking, in this perspective, on the role of Brussels in strengthening the strategic partnership between the Kingdom and the EU and in defending stability and continuity. of this relationship in the face of the maneuvers of the parties hostile to this partnership.
The Head of Government did not fail to express his gratitude to the Belgian government for its positive interaction and its commitment to defending the Moroccan partnership with the EU, noting that the distinguished relations between the two countries depend on the human dimension and the human capital and their contribution to the enrichment of bilateral cooperation. This involves the vital role of the Moroccan community residing in Belgium and the Belgian community established in Morocco, which constitute the essential vector for strengthening the rapprochement of the two kingdoms.
Cooperation, in its manifestations linked to development, employment, social issues and judicial cooperation, is one of the sectors to which Morocco attaches particular importance, like immigration in its multiple dimensions. .