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Rabat – Business, the Western Sahara conflict, and Morocco’s accession to Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) all featured in Moroccan Head of Government Saad Eddine El Othmani’s meeting with his South Korean counterpart, Lee Nak-yeon, in Seoul on Monday.
El Othmani arrived in South Korea on Monday for an official visit at the invitation of Nak-nyeon.
During the meeting, the minister reiterated Morocco’s support for the United Nations to oversee the negotiation process to reach a mutually acceptable solution to the four-decade conflict over Western Sahara. South Korea also recognized Morocco’s efforts to find a solution to end the regional conflict.
The Republic of Korea also underscored the importance of Morocco’s return to the African Union and its accession to ECOWAS, said in a statement on El Othmani’s official visit obtained by Morocco World News.
The Head of Government led a delegation, which included Mohamed Boussaid, Minister of Economy and Finance; Saïd Amazai, Minister of National Education, Vocational Training, Higher Education, and Scientific Research; and Othmane El Ferdaous, Secretary of State to the Minister of Industry, Investment, Trade, and Digital Economy.
This official visit marks the first of its kind for a Moroccan Head of Government in the Republic of Korea. The meeting served as an opportunity for both parties to discuss the bilateral cooperation that has united the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962.
The visit also aimed to discuss new measures for the bilateral cooperation, which was consolidated at the last high-level meeting, held in November 2014, in the presence of former Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Chung Hong-Won.
Morocco and South Korea have expressed their willingness to reinforce the bilateral ties; partnerships, and “regular political consultations,” added the statement.
During the meeting, Moroccan officials congratulated South Korea for the success of the inter-Korean Summit held between the leaders of North Korea and South Korea on April 27.
“In accordance with the foundations of its foreign policy, the Kingdom of Morocco encourages the search for a negotiated political solution to political and territorial conflicts in accordance with international legality,” reads the statement.
The countries also envisioned further meetings, including an official visit of Nak-Yon in the second half of 2018, and the 7th session of a joint commission in Seoul during the 4th quarter of 2018.
Subsequently, the two countries have expressed their common desire to pursue the bilateral partnership with continued openness and excellence, with the view to gradually raise it to the level of an enhanced partnership.
The two countries will also sign Korean Economic Development Cooperation Loan Agreement, which will allow them to reinforce business cooperation in investment.
South Korea and Morocco also discussed measures to enhance tourism bonds. The two countries agreed to hold an exhibition in Seoul by the end of 2018 on tourism.
The Asian and North African country are also looking forward to fostering partnerships in education and e-learning as well as in scientific research, innovation, and technology.
South Korea and Morocco will pursue enhanced cooperation in the following sectors: economic competitiveness and the digital economy; innovation as a driver of economic and social development; decentralization and regionalization, and education and academic cooperation.
