Rabat – Côte d’Ivoire and Morocco are two great nations that have exceptional relations, and the presence King Mohammed VI in Abidjan “gives a special radiance to the African Union-European Union Summit,” said Ivorian Minister of Integration, Aly Coulibaly, on Monday.
The two “brotherly” countries have managed to set up an exceptional partnership that confirms the presence of Morocco in Africa, Coulibaly told the press commenting on the arrival of King Mohammed VI to Abidjan.
“This is an example for Africa that a South-South partnership can work,” said the Ivorian Minister, expressing hope that countries would follow their example.
The partnership is a “win-win for both countries. It is bound to strengthen the profit of both nations,” he added.
King Mohammed VI is on a working visit to the country a few days ahead of the European Union-African Union Summit in the Ivorian capital.
At the Félix Houphouët-Boigny airport, the King was given a warm welcome by Ivorian president, Alassane Dramane Ouattara, who was accompanied by Côte d’Ivoire’s First Lady, Dominique Claudine Ouattara.
The Moroccan King was also greeted by Ivorian Vice-President Daniel Kablan Duncan, Prime Minister Amadou Gon Coulibaly, Ivorian State Minister in charge of Defense Hamed Bakayoko, the governor of Abidjan’s autonomous district, Beugré Robert Mambé, the mayor of Port-Bouët Commune, and Côte d’Ivoire’s ambassador in Rabat, Idrissa Traoré.
This is King Mohamed VI’s second visit to Cote d’Ivoire in 2017, which is a testimony to the importance Morocco gives to further developing its relations with this West African country.
According to a survey conducted by the Economic and Financial Affairs Council, Morocco was the top provider of Foreign Direct Investments to Cote d’Ivoire in 2016. With a volume of investments that reached USD 213 Million, Morocco surpassed France, which had traditionally been the top foreign investor in Côte d’Ivoire.
