Morocco, Switzerland Hold New Session of Political Consultations in Bern

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad and the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation held Thursday in Bern a new session of political consultations. This session was chaired, on the Moroccan side, by Redouane Adghoughi, Director of European Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad and, on the Swiss side, by Ambassador Maya Tissafi, Deputy Secretary of State, Head of the Middle East and North Africa Division at the State Secretariat of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. On this occasion, the two parties welcomed the regularity of their political consultations which are now framed by a memorandum of understanding, signed on December 3, 2021, in Bern, by the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the Vice President of the Federal Council and head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, reports a statement of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans abroad. They praised the excellence of relations between Morocco and Switzerland and highlighted the importance of strengthening political dialogue and economic partnership by opening it to new areas of cooperation, the statement said. In this regard, the two parties reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring optimal implementation of the roadmap agreed by the two ministers, according to the same source. Under the development of economic and trade relations and given the significant potential of both countries, they agreed to promote the creation of a Morocco-Switzerland Business Council and the organization as soon as possible of a “business forum” to facilitate contact between economic institutions and business communities of both countries. The Assistant Secretary of State expressed Switzerland’s thanks to Morocco for its support of the Swiss candidacy for a non-permanent seat on the UN Security Council in 2023-2024. The two parties also welcomed their cooperation within the UN and other international organizations. With regard to the national question, the Swiss side reiterated its support for Morocco’s serious and credible efforts aimed at reaching a political solution based on compromise, noting the autonomy initiative presented by Morocco to the UN Secretary-General on April 11, 2007. The two parties also expressed their satisfaction with the positive dynamics of their cooperation in the area of migration and Morocco’s constructive role and commitment both regionally and internationally, the ministry added. They welcomed, in this regard, the active contribution of the Moroccan community residing in Switzerland, reaffirming the importance of expanding this cooperation in the framework of a comprehensive and multidimensional approach. The two parties were also able to appreciate their convergence of views on many regional and international issues of common interest, the statement continued. The two sides agreed to implement triangular cooperation programs in Africa through relevant policies of sustainable development and multidimensional commitment, the s statement concluded.