Govt. Head Welcomes Success of 3rd meeting of Morocco-Belgium High Joint Partnership Commission

Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, welcomed, here Monday, the success of the 3rd meeting of the Morocco-Belgium High Joint Partnership Commission. The Joint Declaration adopted during this 3rd meeting is a roadmap to strengthen future cooperation between the two countries and a key step to establish a strategic partnership that meets the aspirations of the two heads of State, HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Philippe, Akhannouch underlined during a press briefing following this meeting, which he co-chaired with Belgian Prime Minister, Alexander De Croo. This meeting was an opportunity to review and evaluate the results of bilateral relations and to sign numerous cooperation mechanisms between Morocco and Belgium to establish concrete partnerships, he noted. In this context, he hailed the distinguished cooperation between the two countries in different areas, such as transport, renewable energies and agribusiness. This cooperation, he noted, will allow the two countries to play a leading role in their Euro-Mediterranean and Euro-African environment, as Morocco is considered a hub of trade and investment in Africa for European companies in general, and Belgian companies in particular. Akhannouch said that the Morocco-Belgium Business Forum, scheduled for Tuesday in Casablanca, will be an opportunity to develop joint projects and explore investment opportunities in the two countries, highlighting the advantages that offer the new Investment Charter and Morocco’s potential in the field of green hydrogen, in addition to the structuring projects planned in view of the organization of the 2030 World Cup. Recalling that the year 2024 coincides with the 60th anniversary of the bilateral agreement “relating to Moroccan workers in Belgium”, signed between the two Kingdoms, he praised the role played by the Moroccan community in Belgium as a key stakeholder in strengthening the Moroccan-Belgian partnership and its effective contribution to the rapprochement between the two friendly countries. This 3rd meeting confirmed the convergence of views and positions on numerous regional and international issues of common interest, as it constituted an opportunity to reiterate the two Kingdoms’ commitment to continue their constructive and proactive action to resolving these issues, he added. In this respect, he welcomed Belgium’s position supporting the Moroccan autonomy plan as the most serious, realistic and credible basis to settle the artificial dispute around the Moroccan Sahara, noting that Belgium is one of the European countries having expressed their unequivocal support for the autonomy plan and their support for Morocco’s efforts to definitively close this issue. He also praised Belgium’s support for the International Atlantic Initiative launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and mainly aimed at consolidating regional integration and encouraging dialogue, cooperation and coordination between the countries of the region, particularly in the wake of the Nigeria-Morocco gas pipeline project which will supply Europe with gas, crossing 13 African countries. The Royal Initiative will support the Sahel countries in their efforts to find solutions to their crises and problems, through the acceleration of their economic integration by taking advantage of structuring infrastructure and projects offered by this initiative to promote their access to the Atlantic, he continued. Akhannouch also seized this opportunity to thank Belgium for its commitment to supporting and strengthening the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union and its positive efforts for the protection and sustainability of this partnership. He also noted that the two Kingdoms share the same vision on many issues, particularly regarding the crisis in the Middle East. In this regard, the Head of Government reiterated the constant position of Morocco, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al Quds Committee, regarding the justness of the Palestinian cause, noting that the Kingdom calls for an immediate, global and lasting cessation of the Israeli war against Gaza, the protection of civilians by refraining from targeting them, the delivery of aid and the rejection of any attempt to forcefully displace Palestinians. He added the Kingdom of Morocco calls for launching a real peace process leading to a two-State solution and the establishment of the independent Palestinian State on the borders of June 1967 with Al Quds-East as capital, living side by side with the State of Israel in such a way as to guarantee peace and stability for all the peoples of the region.