Italian Foreign Minister Luigi De Maio lauded Morocco’s role in upholding stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean.
Rabat – Mohcine Jazouli, Morocco’s Minister Delegate for African Cooperation, spoke of Morocco’s peace-building capabilities at the Rome MED 2019 conference in Rome, Italy.
MED is a year-long initiative for high-level dialogue on issues in the Mediterranean. The two-day conference in Rome began wrapping up its 5th installment today, December 7.
“Morocco acts in its region by adopting a diplomacy based on responsibility and clarity,” Jazouli said at a panel on collaboration in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA).
Morocco’s diplomacy “aims to reinforce ties in a spirit of brotherhood and solidarity with all the brotherly . . . countries, which has enabled the Kingdom to become a credible partner in building peace,” he continued.
Jazouli underlined how Morocco has successfully laid the foundations for a model of national development under King Mohammed VI, according to Maghreb Arab Press (MAP).
The minister described Morocco’s development model as based on democratic institutions, economic growth, and inclusive human development.
Morocco has taken several initiatives aimed at developing political, economic, and diplomatic ties in the region, Jazouli continued. He cited Morocco’s Skhirat agreement on Libya’s political transition, signed in 2015, as an example of the kingdom’s peace-building initiatives.
Read also: Top Analysts Talk Moroccan Diplomacy in Africa
Jazouli went on to discuss trade, noting the Agadir agreement of 2001. Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, and Jordan signed the Agadir agreement with the aim of increasing exports to the European Union and essentially creating a Euro-Mediterranean free trade zone.
Regarding diplomacy, Jazouli stressed the conflicts and socio-economic tensions that plague the MENA region. MENA, however, has valuable assets that can facilitate development, Jazouli said. Sustainable partnerships in the region are vital to sustain intra-regional trade and diverse economies.
Italian FM highlights strategic partnership
After Jazouli’s speech, Italian Foreign Minister Luigi De Maio took the stand.
De Maio lauded Morocco’s role in upholding stability and prosperity in the Mediterranean, according to MAP. He highlighted Italy’s multidimensional strategic agreement with Morocco, which includes bilateral cooperation on security issues.
Read also: Morocco and Italy Declare Strategic Partnership, Coordination
Morocco and Italy signed the strategic cooperation agreement on November 1, in line with the goals of King Mohammed VI to diversify Morocco’s foreign partnerships with the EU and strengthen ties with Italy.
The text of the strategic partnership sets up mechanisms, defines areas of cooperation, and strengthen bilateral coordination on various issues.
A key priority of the partnership is to peacefully settle regional disputes and conflicts while ensuring cooperation between Africa and the Mediterranean.
The partnership further aims to promote dialogue and cooperation in combatting terrorism, international crime, and irregular migration.
At the political level, Morocco and Italy share an interest in crisis resolution and migration management. The Italian foreign minister praised Morocco on November 1 for its effective migration policies, calling the Kingdom a source of inspiration for the European Union and Mediterranean countries.
Italy is set to benefit greatly from the partnership in terms of security and migration. For Morocco, the agreement will stimulate economic growth in the Kingdom and promote cooperation with other European countries.
Read also: Moroccan FM: Pompeo’s Visit Reflects Morocco-US Solid Ties
