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Thursday 7 December 2017

Joint action, the best way to achieve African integration

Vocal synthesis
Joint action, the best way to achieve African integration

Joint action based on socio-economic development is the best way to achieve African integration, said Wednesday in Rabat State Secretary for foreign affairs and international cooperation, Mounia Boucetta.

Speaking at an international symposium on African integration held at the House of Representatives (lower house), Boucetta underlined the need to invest in governance to achieve this goal as it would modernize and strengthen institutions and help find new financing sources.

Morocco has endeavoured since its independence to consolidate its historical and cultural relations, as well as its cooperation with African countries, she said, adding that the Kingdom’s policy has always been characterized by the support for the freedom, unity and integration of the continent.

"Morocco was and will remain committed to the causes of the continent and a staunch defender of its aspirations at international meetings, as it will undertake initiatives to preserve peace and international security and contribute to the economic growth of continent," she pointed out.

Since 2002, Africa has become the main destination of royal tours, as the Sovereign has made more than 50 visits to more than 25 African countries with the aim of promoting African integration, she noted.

Thanks to the royal commitment, Morocco has been able to develop its cooperation with the rest of the countries of the continent, Boucetta said, noting that the Kingdom’s diplomatic network has been strengthened to reach 29 embassies, i.e. 1/3 of the Kingdom's diplomatic representations in the world.

In addition, the number of African embassies in Morocco has reached 32 representations, making Rabat a diplomatic capital, at a time when the number of Moroccans living in sub-Saharan Africa has tripled in 12 years, from 4,500 in 2005 to 15,586 currently.

 Commenting Morocco's policy on migration and exile, Boucetta recalled the operation of the regularization of the situation of Sub-Saharan nationals living in the Kingdom, in accordance with the high royal instructions.

MAP 07/12/2017