Rabat – Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita met with British Minister of State James Cleverly to discuss Morocco’s bilateral relations in the post-Brexit era. Morocco’s top diplomat on May 28, 2021 met with Cleverly, who as Minister of State is responsible for the British foreign office’s Middle East and North Africa dossier.
Cleverly opened the discussion by congratulating Morocco on the launch of its new 15-year economic development model that aims to greatly improve living standards and social protections. The British official spoke to Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates to strengthen relations in a new era marked by the conclusion of the Brexit procedure and the emergence of the COVID-19 virus.
Britain faces a new and uncertain outlook caused by the economic changes following Britain’s departure from the EU ahead of which the island nation signed several post-Brexit economic agreements with Morocco. The two diplomats made sure to emphasize the history of positive relations between their two countries and ways forward amid COVID-19 uncertainty.
The two foreign officials discussed the implementation of the three agreements signed in regard to post-Brexit economics. They spoke on advancing the post-Brexit Association Agreement that aims to maintain existing ties, as well as the launch of the Association council and the upcoming strategic dialogue between the two nations.
Cleverly, who had together with Bourita been part of the negotiations between Morocco and Britain, described Morocco as a “privileged partner” and a pillar of regional stability. The two representatives vowed that their countries would continue to collaborate on “shared interests” such as the situation in Libya and the Sahel.
Morocco signed an Association with Britain on October 26, 2019 ahead of the country’s departure from the EU.
At the time, a British negotiator stated that the agreement “signals a really concrete step in the deepening and broadening of our bilateral partnership,” describing the signing as “a really great moment.” Morocco’s government approved the agreement on June 11, 2020.
