Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon Welcomes Strong and Fruitful Relations between Morocco, UK

Minister of State for the Middle East, North Africa, South Asia and the United Nations of the United Kingdom, Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon, welcomed, Tuesday in Rabat, the strong and fruitful relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom which date back more than eight centuries and will continue to grow stronger.

“I am delighted with the relations, partnership and strong friendship that exist between our two nations, (…) and I am pleased to note the strong interest and alignment between Morocco and the United Kingdom,” said Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon during a press briefing at the end of his talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, on the sidelines of the holding of the 4th session of Strategic Dialogue between the two countries.

“The partnership between the two Kingdoms dates back more than eight centuries and will continue to grow stronger,” the British minister said, noting that the relationship between the two Kingdoms extends to a number of key areas such as education, trade and climate change. The shared goal and ambition is to build a safer and more secure planet in terms of the environment and conflict resolution, he added.

This collaboration, he added, also covers defense and security issues, transnational crime and the fight against terrorism, stressing “the close link between our respective defense and security teams” which are an essential basis of bilateral relations.

Referring to the fundamental pillar of education, Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon noted the common goal of equipping “our next generation, our young people, with the skills and knowledge they need for the future” including “technology”.

In this context, he highlighted the opening in April in Casablanca of the first British university campus of Coventry University.

Recalling the annual bilateral trade now approaching 3 billion pounds sterling, the British minister expressed the desire to develop it further.

“It is great to see so many British choose Morocco and strengthen trade in multiple sectors, which confirms and consolidates our economic relations that create jobs for both countries,” he said.

He also said he discussed with Bourita regional issues, including illegal immigration, as well as continuing efforts to promote peace and stability, emphasizing the international perspectives of cooperation, such as climate action, clean energy and green growth.

Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon also welcomed the choice of the United Kingdom as guest of honor of the 15th edition of the International Agricultural Exhibition in Morocco (SIAM).

MAP: 09 mai 2023