The European Commissioner for Neighbourhood Policy, Olivér Várhelyi, and the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, underlined, on Thursday 10 March, the importance of the partnership between the EU and Morocco.
“Morocco wants a solid partnership with the EU, based on mutual respect and shared values. The world needs reliable partnerships and Morocco sees the relationship with the EU in this perspective”, the minister stressed to the media in Rabat.
Mr Várhelyi emphasised the depth of the partnership. He recalled that the EU will invest €1.6 billion in the framework of the new investment plan for the Mediterranean, hoping that this could raise, with international and private partners, €8.4 billion for the country over the next seven years. The Commissioner added that the EU wanted to work with Morocco on sustainable agriculture, energy transition, renewable energies, digital transition and the issue of access to water. “The partnership is moving towards a qualitative upgrade with Morocco’s participation in projects such as Horizon Europe”, Mr Bourita said, noting that his country was moving towards green and digital partnerships.
The Commissioner also highlighted cooperation in the fight against illegal immigration. He called for an intensification of this cooperation, in particular on the fight against migrant smuggling, border protection, returns and readmissions, adding that he would like to see a wider cooperation, which would imply higher financial means.
Beyond bilateral cooperation, the Commissioner recalled that Morocco was a partner with which the EU was working on the development and security of the African continent.
The Commissioner and the minister signed an agreement on the LinkUp Africa project, which is the first ever cooperation between the EU, Morocco and Africa, facilitating access to training and employment for young people. The project has a budget of €3 million. (Original version in French by Camille-Cerise Gessant)