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Rabat – Swedish Monarch King Carl XVI Gustav had underscored the “depth of historical ties binding his country and Morocco.”
“Honored to have been received in audience, on 9th March 2022, by His Majesty #Carl_XVI_Gustaf, at the Royal Palace in #Stockholm, following my appointment as Ambassador of His Majesty the King of #Morocco to #Sweden. Memorable moments!,” tweeted the Moroccan Ambassador to Sweden Karim Medrek.
At the reception, King Carl XVI Gustav and Ambassador Karim Medrek expressed a mutual desire to promote bilateral relations and cooperation in renewable energy and COVID-19 management.
The Moroccan diplomat stressed his country’s commitment to promoting and exploring new areas for bilateral cooperation with Sweden.
He also expressed his determination to work for the promotion of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, to achieve prosperity and development with respect to values of peace, harmony, and security.
Additionally, Ambassador Medrek recalled political and social reforms undertaken by Morocco in line with the country’s new development model. He reiterated the kingdom’s dedication to addressing renewable energy and climate change needs as well as countering the COVID-19 pandemic and its lingering economic consequences.
Morocco and Sweden’s interest in furthering diplomatic relations is reflected in the Nordic country’s shifting position on Western Sahara.
On January 2021, Sweden’s Foreign Affairs Minister Ann Linde held talks with Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita, highlighting the need for an UN-facilitate process for Western Sahara.
Notably, in 2015, members of the Swedish Social Democratic Party issued a bill to recognize the Polisario front, leading to rising tensions between the two countries.
Morocco’s Government Chief Abdelilah Benkirane commented on the Swedish stand at the time. “It is unreasonable that a respectable country like Sweden intervenes in such an unfortunate way in the Moroccan Sahara issue, adopting a bill that provides for recognizing the so-called ghostly republic,” he said.
The latest reception demonstrates further diplomatic rapprochement between Morocco and Sweden. The two countries hold good trade relations as Moroccan imports from Sweden amounted to $349.37 million in 2020.
