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Join on Telegram Rabat – In an exclusive interview with Morocco World News (MWN), Serbian Ambassador Ivan Bauer unveiled a comprehensive roadmap for bolstering ties between Serbia and Morocco.
The recent dialogue between Ambassador Bauer and Rachid Talbi El Alami, President of Morocco’s Chamber of Representatives, underscored a shared commitment to enhancing bilateral parliamentary cooperation and exploring new avenues for partnership.
The conversation centered on fostering a robust parliamentary relationship through more frequent high-level exchanges, notably between the Serbia-Morocco Parliamentary Friendship Group.
Ambassador Bauer emphasized to MWN that this would significantly “contribute to strengthening our bilateral parliamentary cooperation.”
A Historical Perspective with Modern Aspirations
The deep-rooted friendship between Serbia and Morocco is anchored in strong historical ties and mutual respect, Ambassador Bauer highlighted.
However, the ambassador candidly expressed his initial frustration over the underdeveloped economic relationship between the two nations.
“Our political ties are at a historical maximum, yet our economic cooperation is almost non-existent,” he remarked to MWN.
To bridge this gap, Bauer has been on a mission since his arrival in 2021 to raise awareness about Serbia among Moroccans and vice versa.
“You cannot persuade companies to invest or work in an environment that is completely unknown to them,” he noted, emphasizing the cultural and economic similarities that bind the two nations despite their geographical distance.
Ambassador Bauer has been actively working with various Moroccan institutions to enhance legislative frameworks, creating a conducive environment for business and investment.
Central to these efforts is the advocacy for a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Serbia and Morocco. “Since preparing an FTA takes time, I focused on proposing various Memorandums of Understanding in fields ranging from culture and sports to education and scientific cooperation,” he explained.
Political and Multilateral Synergy
Serbia and Morocco share a robust political rapport, both bilaterally and multilaterally, often supporting each other on international platforms. “Both of our countries are among the biggest proponents of the rule of international law and the United Nations Charter,” Bauer remarks.
This political synergy extends to the Moroccan autonomy plan for the Western Sahara dispute, with Serbia recognizing it as a serious and credible solution within the framework of the UN Security Council resolutions.
The ambassador outlined several key areas ripe for deeper collaboration, particularly in digital transition, biotechnology, and green energy.
“I proposed to Minister Ghita Mezzour a Memorandum of Understanding with our Ministry of Information and Telecommunications. Serbia’s experience in digital transition could be invaluable to Morocco,” Bauer suggested.
Moreover, Serbia’s biotechnology ambitions are exemplified by the construction of the BIO4 campus in Belgrade, a regional hub for biotechnology.
Serbia sees Morocco as “a diligent partner in green energy and biotechnology projects,” the ambassador said, emphasizing the Serbian Ministry of Science availability to “collaborating with Moroccan counterparts.”
Ivan Bauer, Serbian Ambassador to Morocco and Rachid Talbi El Alami, President of Morocco’s Chamber of Representatives
Bauer also highlighted the potential for financial cooperation, given Morocco’s recent focus on inflation targeting.
“Our central bank has extensive experience in this area, and we are willing to share our expertise with Morocco,” he mentioned, indicating a readiness to assist Morocco’s Central Bank.
Economic and Cultural Partnerships: A Multifaceted Approach
The multifaceted approach to strengthening Moroccan-Serbian relations is evident in Bauer’s efforts to build economic and cultural partnerships.
Initiatives such as the proposed Free Trade Agreement and various Memorandums of Understanding aim to create a solid foundation for future collaboration. “Our legislative efforts are geared towards creating a better environment for both Moroccan and Serbian companies to thrive,” Bauer stated.
Cultural and sports exchanges form another cornerstone of the bilateral relationship. Bauer revealed to MWN that there are two Memorandums of Understanding in the field of culture ready to be signed, and that the two countries are in discussions “about organizing friendly football matches between our national teams.”
Such initiatives aim to foster people-to-people connections and mutual understanding. To facilitate more frequent exchanges, political consultations have been initiated between the foreign ministries of both countries.
“We agreed to intensify talks, especially in trade, and to hold the Serbia-Morocco Intergovernmental Committee meeting soon,” Bauer announced.
This meeting will also feature B2B interactions between Moroccan and Serbian companies, aimed at expanding economic ties.
Ambassador Bauer’s vision for Moroccan-Serbian relations is ambitious and multifaceted, aiming to transform historical ties into a dynamic partnership. “We have so much in common, and I hope to continue building on this foundation for the benefit of both nations,” he concluded.
