Rabat – The first session of the Saudi-Moroccan political consultations will take place in Riyadh on Tuesday.
The political consultation meeting is part of an agreement the two countries signed in 2007 to further develop bilateral ties through the establishment of political consultations.
The talks, which will run for two days, will serve as an opportunity for the two countries to discuss a number of bilateral and regional issues, Moroccan news agency MAP reported on Monday.
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita will take part in the political consultation.
During the meeting, Bourita will also discuss preparations for the joint Moroccan-Saudi committee that will be held next June in Morocco.
The statement did not provide further details on what exactly the countries will discuss.
Saudi Arabia and Morocco share good diplomatic relations, which the two countries seek to develop.
In October 2021 the Saudi embassy in Rabat reiterated Saudi Arabia’s steadfast and principled support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Saudi Arabia conveyed its support during a meeting between Saudi Ambassador to Morocco Abdullah bin Saad Al Ghurairi and the Moroccan Speaker of parliament Rachid Talbi Alami.
During the talks, the Saudi diplomat emphasized the continuous coordination and consultations between Rabat and Riyadh, stressing that the close bilateral partnership also covers legislative, executive, and judicial fields.
Saudi Arabia also expressed its support for Morocco in international symposiums, including in the UN.
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In 2021, during the 4th Commission of the UN General Assembly, Saudi Arabia renewed its rejection to “any attack against the supreme interests or on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the brotherly Kingdom of Morocco.”
Morocco and Saudi Arabia previously experienced a diplomatic rift, following Rabat’s neutral stance after the Saudi-led coalition imposed a blockade on Qatar.
The blockade concluded after Saudi Arabia restored ties with Qatar in January 2021.
Rumors also mounted on a previous tension after a documentary aired by a pro-government Saudi television channel against Morocco’s position in the regional conflict over Western Sahara.
In March 2019, Moroccan FM Nasser Bourita emphasized that from the point of view of Morocco, relations with Gulf countries, particularly Saudi Arabia and UAE, have always been deep historical relations.
He added that Morocco has always been keen to preserve and strengthen its diplomatic ties with the two Gulf countries.
“It may happen that we do not agree on certain issues. Foreign policy is a matter of sovereignty, and in Morocco, it is also based on principles and constants,” said Bourita.
He also emphasized the importance of reciprocity to maintain cooperation.
He added that preserving the diplomatic ties should “be a concern on both sides, and if not, it would be normal for all alternatives to be examined.”
