Rabat – The Visegrad Group (V4) and Morocco are discussing means to strengthen cooperation in their first meeting that opened today in Budapest.
The Visegrad Group includes four countries from Central Europe: Poland, Hungary, Slovakia, and Czechia.
While all the four members are affiliated with the EU and NATO, the group views itself as a cultural and political alliance designed to further socio-political and economic integration, as well as defense and energy cooperation, between the member states.
Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita is representing Morocco at the first V4+Morocco ministerial meeting, with both parties suggesting that this first convention is aimed at exploring ways of deepening political and economic cooperation between Morocco and the four Central European countries.
Hungary, which is taking the presidency of the Visegrad Group for the period 2021-2022, has long emphasized the importance of strengthening cooperation with Morocco.
Deepening their improving cooperation and implementing joint projects on questions of shared interests were two priority talking points discussed at today’s meeting in Budapest, according to MAP, Morocco’s state-owned news agency.
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The meeting also seeks to serve as an opportunity to discuss issues of common interest, including irregular migration, MAP added.
Prior to today’s meeting, Bourita traveled to Hungary on Monday, where he also met with Hungary’s Foreign Minister Peter Szikkarto.
During the meeting, the Hungarian chief diplomat emphasized Morocco’s strategic importance in Africa.
“We consider Morocco a pivotal country in the fight against irregular migration, and we appreciate its role in this field,” he said during his meeting with Bourita.
He also argued that Morocco’s stability is essential for Europe’s security, stressing that the EU should support Rabat’s development projects.
