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Agadir – Belgium’s Minister of Defense and Foreign Trade Theo Francken has praised Morocco’s development after the country announced that its flagship Tiznit-Dakhla Expressway will bear the name of US President Donald Trump.
Commenting on the announcement, Francken wrote on social media: “Morocco is becoming increasingly Western. Interesting for NATO. Crucial African country. Looking forward to our economic mission!”
His remarks came shortly after Trump publicly thanked King Mohammed VI for the gesture, describing it as a “great honor.”
In a message posted on his social media platform, Trump said: “Thank you to His Majesty King Mohammed VI, King of Morocco, for this great honor. I look forward to traveling the full length of this magnificent expressway one day, and hope it will be soon.”
The infrastructure project, designated the Donald J. Trump Expressway, stretches approximately 1,055 kilometers from Tiznit to Dakhla, linking Morocco’s northern and southern provinces.
The route covers roughly 36% of Morocco’s Atlantic coastline and represents one of the country’s largest transport infrastructure projects, with an estimated cost of $1 billion (MAD 9.389 billion)
Francken’s comments also come ahead of a planned Belgian economic mission to Morocco, reflecting growing interest in the country’s strategic position as a gateway between Europe and Africa.
Morocco-Belgium strategic ties
Morocco and Belgium’s relationship extends beyond mutual admiration, having evolved into a deep strategic partnership that continues to expand across diplomacy, trade, security, migration, judicial reform, and investment.
Belgium has also emerged as one of the growing number of European countries backing Morocco’s position on the Sahara.
During an official visit to Rabat in March this year, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Maxime Prevot reaffirmed Belgium’s support for Morocco’s Autonomy Plan, describing it as the “most adequate, serious, credible, and realistic” basis for a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution to the regional dispute.
The Belgian position builds on a joint declaration signed in Brussels in October 2025, under which Belgium committed to align both its diplomatic and economic actions with its support for Morocco’s autonomy initiative.
