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Rabat – Andrey Kovatchev, the vice-president of the European People’s Party (EPP) in the European Parliament, has described Morocco as a “very important partner” for the EU.
The MEP emphasized that Brussels and Rabat “must deepen our relations after the free, democratic and transparent elections held in the kingdom.”
Kovatchev made his remarks during a press briefing after his meeting with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita in Rabat on Monday, September 20.
The Bulgarian MEP, who is also rapporteur for Morocco in the Foreign Affairs and International Trade Committees at the European Parliament, said he is waiting for the formation of the new government so that both the EU and Rabat can continue to strengthen their “good relations.”
The EU official emphasized that his visit to Rabat was part of a broader bid to explore further deepening Moroccan-European relations and to identify the challenges that the two parties need to overcome.
Kovatchev was among the EU officials who commended the good conduct of the general elections held in Morocco earlier this month on September 8.
In a press release, the Bulgarian MEP described the elections as “transparent,” lauding the quality of organization of the electoral process by Moroccan authorities despite COVID-19.
“These elections mirror once again the resilience of the Kingdom in the face of the health crisis, as well as the maturity of its democratic experience,” he said on the elections.
He said that it is important for the EU to continue to support Morocco as a “reliable and stable partner in the region and in Africa.”
EU officials have in recent years repeatedly emphasized the importance of maintaining the “strategic” cooperation between Brussels and Rabat.
In July, Ylva Johansson said that the EU will work to maintain its existing relationship with Morocco.
She said that EU investments into Morocco’s migration and security infrastructure have totaled over $400 million through programs the EU initially announced in2019.
In March, Andrea Cozzolino, president of the Delegation for relations with the Maghreb countries for the European Parliament, echoed the same remarks when he describedMorocco as the “only stable and reliable” partner of the EU in the South Mediterranean region.
