Morocco has been recognised as having tremendous potential to help to progress the EU’s New Green Deal strategy in Africa, through the country’s experience in the development of renewable energy projects, in partnership with EU suppliers.
Earlier today, in the framework of regular consultations between EU and Morocco, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita had an in depth conversation with the European Commissioner for Neighbourhood and Enlargement Mr. Oliver Varhelyi.
During the conversation Bourita paid tribute to the proactive commitment of Commissioner Varhelyi, and expressed his appreciation for the Commission’s partnership-based approach. He welcomed the publication by the European Commission on February 9th of the Communication on “A Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighbourhood: An Agenda for the Mediterranean”. This Communication comes at the right time given the current global health crisis.
“It reinforces the ambitions agreed upon during the Association Council of June 2019 and the ministerial teleconference of October 2, 2020, and consolidates the new structuring of Morocco-EU bilateral relations in 4 areas: political and security, the economic and social area, shared values and shared knowledge. It also strengthens our cooperation in environment and climate change, mobility and migration,” he said.
Bourita noted the shared fields of action between this Communication, Morocco’s overall Investment Plan, and the priorities of the Kingdom set by His Majesty King Mohammed VI to foster the resilience of the national economy.
The European plan, with a budget of up to 7 billion euros over 2021-2027, notably suggests the european participation in the Mohammed VI Strategic Investment Fund, support for the Morocco-EU Green Partnership and for the Kingdom’s renewable energy objectives, support for the establishment of social protection systems, support for the Green Generation agricultural strategy, and for the higher education sector.
This European commitment is part of a logic of sustainable win-win investment, that will contribute not only to greater economic integration between Morocco and the EU, but also to the joint involvement of Morocco and the EU across the African continent.
More than just a routine telephone conversation, today’s discussion between Commissioner Mr. Varhelyi and Bourita was an opportunity to reinforce the dynamics of the strategic partnership between Morocco and the European Union, and to reaffirm the commitment of both parties to further strengthen their multidimensional cooperation.
