Italy-Africa: Morocco to Play ‘Key’ Role in Mattei plan – Ambassador –

Morocco is willing to play a “key” role in the Mattei plan, which aims to promote cooperation between Italy and Africa, the Kingdom’s ambassador in Italy, Youssef Balla. “Morocco’s choice to launch a large center of excellence for training in renewable energies testifies to Morocco’s importance and the central role it could play in the implementation of the Mattei plan,” Balla underlined in an interview with “Gea Agency”. “Italy and Morocco have an institutional base which will allow effective and quick implementation of this plan, in particular the Strategic Partnership signed in 2019 and its action plan, concluded last year”, he noted, highlighting the Kingdom’s assets that “will ensure a positive synergy to the Italian initiative”. These include, in particular, Morocco’s “significant” potential in renewable energies (solar and wind power), as well as the kingdom’s “great ambitions” in green hydrogen, he said, adding that Morocco is a strategic partner of the European Union, with which it has concluded a green partnership agreement, aimed at accelerating convergence on environmental, climate and sustainable development. According to the ambassador, Morocco also plays “a role as facilitator and regional leader, which supports African countries through its triangular program in their energy transition and promotes regional integration”. Highlighting the Mattei plan, which is an “ambitious” initiative aimed at strengthening partnership between Italy and Africa in various areas, such as energy, development and security, Balla stressed that this plan ”offers Africa and Italy the possibility of mutually benefiting from solidarity and expertise, while respecting the sovereignty and priorities of each country”.