Casablanca – The Executive Vice-President of the European Commission in charge of the Green Pact Frans Timmermans begins his two-day official visit to Morocco today, October 18.
The aim of this visit is to sign the first green partnership against climate change with Morocco, seeking to improve cooperation in the fight against climate change, accelerate energy transition projects, and encourage the green economy.
“After the green alliance with Japan, announced at the EU-Japan summit in May 2021, the green partnership with the Kingdom of Morocco represents the first partnership signed under the green pact,” said a statement issued by the European Union Delegation in Morocco.
Prior to the signing ceremony, the Executive Vice President met today with the Head of the Moroccan Government Aziz Akhannouch.
The two parties discussed the importance of the desired agreement and how it can advance the energy transition between Morocco and the European Union.
Read also: EU Aspires to Expand Partnership with Morocco
Timmermans is also expected to meet with Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita.
The meeting will be followed by a joint conference with Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development Leila Benali, Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour, Minister of Economy and Finance Nadia Fettah, and Minister of Agriculture Mohamed Sadiki, the statement noted.
During his trip, Timmermans will also visit the Rabat-Sale tramway, and then discuss the country’s green transition and path to decarbonization with private sector actors.
On Wednesday, the EU official will travel to Casablanca to participate in a citizen dialogue with high school and university students and young professionals on climate action, the statement concluded.
The new collaboration follows the June 2019 adoption of the EU-Morocco Association Council’s joint political declaration creating the “Euro-Moroccan Partnership for Shared Prosperity.”
The alliance prioritized cooperation on energy, combating global warming, environmental preservation, and promoting a green economy.
It had been in discussion since June 2021, with the goal of strengthening Morocco’s and the EU’s climate reforms and cooperating to promote their energy transition and to safeguard the environment.
