The European Commission and Morocco announced their intention to establish a ‘Green Partnership’ to advance the implementation of the Paris Agreement on Monday, 28 June, during a virtual event that was notably attended by European Commission Executive Vice-President for the ‘European Green Deal’ Frans Timmermans.
“This work towards a Green Partnership that we are starting today is the first that the EU is developing with a partner country. It will give us the opportunity to focus on sectors that generate new jobs and investments, such as energy efficiency, clean energy production, and the circular economy; to strengthen resilience in key sectors such as agriculture and tourism; and to develop the strategic and regulatory framework necessary for a sustainable, carbon-neutral economy”, stated Mr Timmermans on this occasion.
The European Commission further explained that this partnership is also designed to contribute to both parties’ economic recovery following the Covid-19 crisis.
In addition, the EU and Rabat announced that €12 million was paid into the ‘Competitiveness and Green Growth Programme’ and that a financing agreement was signed for a rural development programme, to which the EU and the French Development Agency (AFD) will contribute a €20 million investment and a €150 million loan, respectively. (Original version in French by Damien Genicot)