The North Africa Post
Morocco and the European Union (EU) expressed their common ambition to promote “the Euro-Moroccan Partnership for Shared Prosperity” as an innovative framework for a strategic and privileged relationship, serving their mutual interests.
This came during a meeting in Brussels Wednesday between EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Josep Borrell, and Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.
In a joint statement issued following this first meeting between Borell and Bourita, the two sides welcomed the progress made since the 14th session of the Association Council held in June 2019. They agreed to carry on the implementation of this partnership, to reinforce its efficiency and to contribute together to forging the future of their relationship.
“The EU-Morocco partnership is more than ever necessary…the EU and Morocco must join efforts to stimulate regional cooperation for the benefit of stability, prosperity and inclusive development and in order to respond better to regional and global challenges”, reads the joint statement.
The EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, hailed “Morocco’s stability, its far-reaching reforms and the considerable steps taken on the road to modernization and development under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI,” added the joint statement.
Mr. Borrell also stressed that the uniqueness of the Moroccan model, as well as the achievements of EU-Morocco partnership in its political, economic, cultural and human dimensions, make the Kingdom “a privileged partner” of the European Union.
Regarding the Sahara issue, Morocco and the EU reiterated their support for the UN sponsored political process, aiming to reach a lasting, just, realistic, pragmatic, political and mutually acceptable solution.
This solution needs to be based on compromise in accordance with the resolutions of the UN Security Council, in particular resolution 2494 of October 30, 2019.
The joint declaration underlined that the EU high representative “took positive note of the serious and credible efforts of Morocco to this end, and encouraged all the parties to continue their commitment in a spirit of realism and compromise.”
At the regional level, the EU High Representative praised Morocco’s role in the Libyan crisis and in taking up the security challenges in the Sahel region.
The two sides reaffirmed “their commitment to peace and security in the region and expressed their willingness to continue their support to a political solution, in particular in the Libyan crisis, on the basis of the Skhirat Political Agreement,” the joint statement noted, adding that the two sides also reviewed the recent developments in the Middle East peace process.
Josep Borrell knows perfectly well Morocco’s relations with the EU as well as its claims and grievances. As Spanish Foreign Minister, he had participated in the Skhirate meeting that gathered June 3 – 4 European and Moroccan experts, during which it was decided to reactivate the ad hoc working group on the advanced status granted to the kingdom.
POSTED BY NORTH AFRICA POST
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