Sharing a common religion—Sunni Islam—and a history of cooperation in the Afro-Asian bloc against colonialism, Morocco and Indonesia want to further cement their friendship.
Rabat – Morocco and Indonesia have expressed their commitment to furthering their bilateral relationship and “excellent friendship.”
Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister, who headed an “important Moroccan delegation” on a working visit to Jakarta, met on Monday, October 28, with the Indonesian vice-president Maaruf Amin, and the speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives, Puan Maharani.
In both meetings, the two governments highlighted their “excellent relations” but pledged to further solidify cooperation on a range of issues, including education and culture, according to Morocco’s state-run news outlet MAP reported.
As the Moroccan delegation’s visit comes after the annual inter-ministerial summit of the Non-Aligned Movement held last week in Baku, Azerbaijan, officials from both countries spoke of common convictions and shared interests.
On the religious front, Bourita said Morocco is poised to work in concert with Indonesia to promote a tolerant, moderate, and difference-accommodating interpretation of Islam, both countries’ dominant religion.
He also spoke about the need to nurture the socio-cultural ties between the two nations, revealing that Morocco projects to increase the number of scholarships and study grants to Indonesians interested in pursuing their education in Moroccan universities and other learning institutions.
In response, the two Indonesian officials also expressed satisfaction with the “excellent” partnership their country shares with Morocco.
They congratulated the North African country on its recent political reforms, particularly emphasizing the changes made under King Mohammed VI. Vice-President Amin said Morocco will remain a “privileged partner” for Indonesia in Africa and the Muslim world.
Next year will mark the 60th anniversary of the Morocco-Indonesia bilateral relations. The two countries formalized their bilateral relationship in 1960 on the occasion of a visit to Morocco by President Sukarno, Indonesia’s first president and a pioneering figure in the Afro-Asian Non-aligned and anti-colonial movements.
Maharani, who is a granddaughter of President Sukarno, said she was especially “proud” that a street in Rabat—Rue Soekarno, inaugurated in 1960—bears her grandfather’s name. She said she is looking forward to celebrating the 60th anniversary of the bilateral relations between the two countries and is ready to work with Morocco to bring the two nations much closer.
