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Rabat – Belgium’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Hadja Lahbib inaugurated on Thursday the European country’s new embassy in Rabat, which is the first completely energy neutral Belgian embassy.
“I had the honor of inaugurating the new Belgian embassy in Rabat,” said the Belgian FM on Twitter, stressing that the new energy-neutral building reflects Morocco and Belgium’s shared vision, which is “firmly rooted in sustainability and looking to the future.”
Morocco’s Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita received his Belgian counterpart yesterday, with the pair discussing cooperation opportunities and means to strengthen the two nations’ bilateral relations.
“The new embassy is a flagship of the Belgian commitment to energy transition as it is the first Belgian embassy to be energy neutral,” Lahbib said, The Brussels Times reported.
Using a photovoltaic system, the embassy building “produces all the necessary energy itself” and can operate completely off-grid, she added.
The construction of the building began in 2018, using mostly local materials with a low carbon footprint, indicated the Belgian news outlet.
Read also: Belgium Announces Support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan
“This embassy is an affirmation of our technological and architectural know-how and capabilities,” Lahbib highlighted, adding that the move is part of the European country’s “restructuring” efforts following the closure of the Belgian consulates in Casablanca and Tangier.
Photo from the inauguration ceremony of the new Belgian embassy in Rabat
The new embassy features several artworks by Belgian and Moroccan artists, such as Marc Rossignol, Sidi Larbi Charkaoui, Sahar Saadaoui, Mohamed Arejdal, and Charif Benhelima, the source added.
Lahbib’s visit to Morocco was also marked by the Belgian foreign minister announcing her country’s new position regarding the Western Sahara dispute and endorsing Morocco’s Autonomy Plan.
“Belgium considers the Autonomy Plan presented in 2007 a serious and credible effort and a good basis” to reach a long-lasting solution, she stressed.
