Rabat – Diplomatic Bridge, in collaboration with Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung (KAS) Morocco, organized on December 1 the Diplomatic Council of Excellence in Rabat, bringing together high-level diplomatic figures, government officials, representatives from international and Euro-Mediterranean institutions, and economic and academic stakeholders.
The president of Diplomatic Bridge Mehdi Rais commenced the evening by recognizing that such initiatives are positive indicators of relations between the two regions. “The idea of bringing all the participants together around this important theme is not accidental or by chance,” he said. “It is the result of work that has been carried out over several months — almost a full year — within Diplomatic Bridge.”
The adoption of the pact
The event discussed the Pact for the Mediterranean, which was launched in late November in Barcelona by ministers from EU Member States and Southern Mediterranean partner countries. The pact is a new strategic framework focused on the promotion of the cooperation between the EU and Mediterranean countries.
Mehdi Rais stated in an interview with Morocco World News (MWN) that the event is the first to actually discuss, analyze, and develop the recent adoption of the pact. “We had this obligation … to develop and analyze the packet after the official adoption,” he said.
Head of the Political Section of the EU Delegation in Morocco Christine Cassiers discussed already-existing Morocco-EU cooperation which is emulated in the pact. “From our perspective, cooperation between the EU and Morocco is already so mature and so deep that it can truly serve as an example,” she explained.
“There are member states that act as engines for the rest, and in our view, Morocco and the EU in their cooperation could play the same role within the broader framework.”
Morocco-EU collaboration against global humanitarian crises
One topic outside of the regional context was the current humanitarian crisis in Gaza — both parties have worked extensively to improve humanitarian access to Gaza.
The meeting also discussed the war in Ukraine and potential sanctions against Russia. The EU maintains a very in-depth dialogue with Morocco to prevent such circumvention and to ensure that Russia cannot access certain international bodies, such as the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
“It is precisely because of this political relationship that it is possible to have such discussions and develop a political vision regarding wars that strongly concern us,” Cassiers added.
Other areas for collaboration
The EU and Morocco cooperation further targets social inequalities, crime, climate change, green transition, energy fragility, and food crises.
“We believe these initiatives directly contribute to Morocco’s sustainable development and help align European and Moroccan strategies. This is also something we have in mind for the broader framework of the Pact, particularly the economic dimension,” said Christine Cassiers in her speech.
The EU delegation promoted European investments in Morocco, which can support the development of industrial value chains and future-oriented sectors related to climate and innovation.
Migration and security were also crucial topics at the high-level meeting; the EU coordinates operational cooperation and support with Morocco to improve border management, combat trafficking, and strengthen regional resilience.
Limitations of the pact
The Moroccan diplomat and senior political adviser to the Secretary-General of the Union for the Mediterranean, Kamal El Mahdaoui, pointed out that one of the biggest challenges of implementing strategic solutions is ineffective direction of actions, which comes down to a need for private funding and professional support.
“Today, the question is whether the pact will address mediation and all possible scenarios,” El Mahdaoui said. “Everything is still on the table. … One thing that bothers me is when people say, ‘We are doing enough.’ It is not enough. … The fact is that today, cooperation platforms exist, but action is needed.”
El Mahdaoui shared that the Mediterranean has opened doors with Gulf countries because of the Gulf’s strong financial capacity, available funding, and regional agenda. “The professional dimension is important for this phase … Piloting these platforms is very important and establishing co-decision mechanisms is key,” he said.
“We are now at a stage where economic dimensions, regional support, and political dimensions all intersect. Resilience is a key concept for this new chapter.”
Morocco redefining its diplomatic role
On the sidelines of the event, resident representative of KAS Morocco Steven Höfner spoke with MWN about the significant diplomatic efforts of Morocco in recent years, citing the recent case of the UN Resolution 2797 regarding the Sahara Dispute which recognizes Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as the only legitimate framework for resolving the Sahara dispute. “It has become a very new momentum on the global level.”
Other initiatives such as the African Atlantic Initiative and Gaza pipeline “show the credibility and also the potential that Morocco sees in the development of this region,” Höfner said.
He further noted Morocco’s role as a connector between West Africa and Europe, stressing: “We always talk about Morocco as a gateway from the European perspective towards Africa, but I think it’s not only a gateway, it’s the platform for exchange, as it has always been historically.”
He asserted the importance of engaging the younger generations in diplomacy, and KAS’ “important role” in facilitating youth engagement. The involvement of youth is an opportunity for exchange of perspective, visions, information, and exposure to different experiences, Höfner concluded.
