Morocco, Belgium's Wallonia Region Forge Strategic Partnership Across Five Key Areas

Rabat – Morocco and Belgium’s Wallonia Region are collaborating in five key fields to strengthen bilateral relations and establish a strong strategic partnership.

With the aim of realizing their respective aspirations, the two parties have identified five key areas for cooperation during the 8th session of the Permanent Joint Commission, which took place on Tuesday in Rabat.

Co-chaired by the Director of Cooperation and Cultural Action at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Nadia El Hnot, and CEO at Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX) and Wallonia Brussels International (WBI) Pascale Delcomminette.

The session marks a significant step towards fostering collaboration between the nations.

It focused on five main areas of partnership for the period of 2023-2027, namely education, scientific research, culture, the water-energy nexus, and entrepreneurship.

Holding, today in Rabat, of the 8th Permanent Joint Commission between the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Governments of the Walloon Region and the French Community Wallonia-Brussels.@WBI_tweet pic.twitter.com/QPPM9WSF5w

— Moroccan Diplomacy (@Marocdiplo_EN) May 15, 2023

In her opening remarks, El Hnot emphasized the importance of the joint commission, describing it as an indispensable platform for dialogue and exchange that contributes to the strengthening of relations between Morocco and the Walloon region.

“The PJC has emerged over the years as an essential space for dialogue and exchange between Moroccan and Belgian partners,” she explained.

Morocco takes center stage

Morocco has emerged as a key partner for Wallonia-Brussels, as evidenced by the range of fields of cooperation between the two parties, Delcomminette noted.

The official emphasized that the 8th Morocco-Wallonia-Brussels joint commission will further improve bilateral relations and result in the establishment of a strong strategic partnership between the two parties.

Delcomminette noted that the bilateral partnership program “will guide bilateral relations for the next five years,” focusing on supporting the strategic reforms of Morocco’s new development model.

CEO at Wallonia Foreign Trade and Investment Agency (AWEX) and Wallonia Brussels International (WBI) Pascale Delcomminette at the meeting.

The collaborative effort between Morocco and Wallonia signals a mutual commitment to deepening their ties across various sectors.

By capitalizing on their respective strengths and resources, the two parties aim to achieve their shared goals and nurture a lasting and productive partnership.

In November 2022, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita expressed satisfaction with the cooperation between Rabat and Belgium, particularly the region of Wallonia.