Rabat – Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and his Equatoguinean counterpart Simeon Oyono Edono Angue held talks to discuss joint development efforts on June 17.
The two foreign ministers met in Rabat as part of ongoing consultations between the two countries concerning issues of joint interest, marked by the stable and constant cooperation between the two parties over the last two decades.
“The two countries wish to diversify their relations to reach the key sectors related to development,” Angue told the press after his meeting with Bourita concluded.
As part of the evolving cooperation between the two countries, Esono Angue announced that by the end of the year, Rabat and Malabo will host a joint commission to further develop relations. The foreign minister also noted that the two parties have already discussed establishing a roadmap for ensuring the implementation of bilateral agreements already signed.
The Equatoguinean diplomat also highlighted his country’s support for the Moroccan Autonomy Plan and the country’s territorial integrity when it comes to Western Sahara, stressing that “Equatorial Guinea has supported, supports and will support the territorial integrity of Morocco.”
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Equatorial Guinea is one of the eight African countries that have opened a consulate in Dakhla, which was inaugurated in October 2020. The Central African country also welcomed Morocco’s intervention in Guerguerat last November, when Polisario and the group’s supporters staged illegal protests in the region.
On the occasion, Equatorial Guinea urged MINURSO, the United Nations’ peacekeeping initiative in Western Sahara, as well as UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres to expand their efforts to secure a peaceful solution that would ensure stability in the region.
Esono Angue also visited Morocco in October 2020, when the official paid several visits, including to Morocco’s Minister of Industry Moulay Hafid Elalamy. The two discussed Morocco’s growing industrial power and possible cooperation in the field.
The diplomat expressed his hopes to attract Moroccan investment to his country, emphasizing Equatorial Guinea’s economic diversification program, which matched Morocco’s industrial developments and achievements.
