News
Thursday 25 January 2018

The belgian Foreign Affairs Minister started on Wednesday a two-day working visit to Morocco

Vocal synthesis
The belgian Foreign Affairs Minister started on Wednesday a two-day working visit to Morocco

Morocco Reiterates "Full” Support to Belgium’s Candidacy as Non-Permanent Member of UN Security Council: FM

Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, reiterated on Wednesday evening in Rabat, Morocco's "full" support to Belgium’s candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

The presence of Belgium at the Security Council “will bring a lot of experience, lucidity and wisdom to the work of the Council in a very important international context", Bourita pointed out at a press briefing in Rabat following talks with Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Didier Reynders.

The minister praised the “exceptional” relations between Morocco and Belgium, adding that these ties are marked by “historical depth, human dimension, good economic cooperation and convergence of views on the main political issues”. 

"Our talks were an opportunity to discuss the means to improve cooperation mechanisms at the level of regular political consultations and the High Partnership Committee”, he said.

"The good political entente should also be reflected at the economic level," he went on, noting that Belgium is today the eleventh international partner of Morocco and its seventh partner in Europe and that actions planned during this year will further strengthen this dimension.

Commenting Euro-Mediterranean cooperation, Bourita said that "Morocco has always considered Belgium as a reliable partner in the European Union", noting that Belgium is "a partner who has often had constructive stances regarding the interests and challenges of Morocco within the EU ".

Bourita also stressed the importance of the Euro-African dimension, while advocating for a triangular relationship through a stronger dialogue "to go together to Africa".

For his part, Reydners said he was "delighted" by Morocco's support to Belgium's candidacy as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council.

"This is an opportunity for us to play a linking role and to propose solutions to problems, conflicts or difficult situations", he said.

Reydners started on Wednesday a two-day working visit to Morocco, with the aim of developing cooperation and relations between the two kingdoms.

-MAP-25/01/18

Belgian FM Lauds ‘Strong’ Ties with Morocco

Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister, Didier Reynders, hailed on Wednesday in Rabat the “strong” ties between his country and Morocco in the economic, cultural and scientific areas.

Relations between the two countries will further develop this year, through an economic mission led by Princess Astrid of Belgium next November, Reynders told reporters following his talks with head of government, Saad Eddine El Othmani.

More than 400 representatives of companies, universities and research centres showed their interest in participating in this mission, he added, noting that this reflects “the strong economic, cultural and scientific links between the two countries".

Talks with El Othmani focused on issues of common interest, particularly the security aspect, he said, noting that the two countries “address common concerns in the fight against terrorism and participation in coalitions".

The discussions also touched on the issue of foreign fighters “who return to our countries from conflict zones" and on migration, he added.

The discussions also touched on the issue of de-radicalization, he said, adding that his country is interested by the Moroccan experience in the training of imams.

The Belgian official also lauded the important role played by Morocco within the African Union through "an important African policy".

For his part, El Othmani stressed that Reynder’s visit to Morocco is an opportunity to consolidate Moroccan-Belgian relations at the economic and security levels.

The meeting was an opportunity to discuss the role of Morocco in Africa and the means to boost cooperation with the aim of advancing the interests of the African continent, he pointed out.

Talks focused on several security challenges, including the fight against terrorism, he added.

-MAP-25/01/18

Morocco among Belgium’s Most Important Partners, Belgian FM

Morocco is among Belgium’s most important partners, Belgian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Minister Didier Reynders said, noting that the two countries have a lot to gain from sustained and effective cooperation in several fields.

Reynders, who will start a working visit to Morocco this Wednesday, said, in an interview with MAP, that the relations between the two kingdoms are excellent.

The Belgian official, who underlined the human dimension of bilateral relations given the importance of the community of Moroccan origin in Belgium, said that intense relations are maintained at all levels through regular political visits and exchanges between economic operators.

In this year, a Belgian economic mission will visit Morocco and “the Year of Morocco” will be organized by the French Community of Belgium through several cultural events, he announced.

Regarding trade, the Belgian Deputy Prime Minister stressed that Morocco and Belgium are important partners in this sector, with Belgium being Morocco's 8th largest supplier and its 9th largest customer.

Reynders emphasized that "Morocco's location as a gateway to Africa, further strengthened by its rapprochement with ECOWAS, is of interest to Belgian companies”, adding that Belgian companies are already involved in the development of Moroccan port cities, while other prospects are available including in the areas of renewable energy, wastewater treatment and the medical sector.

The Belgian official called for supporting economic partnerships between Moroccan and Belgian groups, as well as triangular cooperation with other African partners.

Morocco and Belgium enjoy good relations in several areas, including justice, security, fight against terrorism and migration, he said, noting that good cooperation between Moroccan and Belgian police and intelligence services is necessary to address common security challenges.

The two countries "also share a common desire to promote peace and stability, especially on the African continent, he said.

Belgium welcomes the momentum given by HM the King to Morocco's African policy, he said, adding that Morocco’s return to the African Union is a “key moment for the organization and the continent".

The Belgian minister also lauded the "leadership" of HM King Mohammed VI regarding the migration issue.

Commenting the Moroccan religious model, Reynders said that "the way Islam is lived and taught in Morocco has a definite impact in our country given the large proportion of citizens of Moroccan origin in Belgium".

"Moroccan Islam is therefore a source of interest for us," he pointed out, while expressing his willingness to learn more about Morocco’s experience in de-radicalization during his visit to Morocco.

-MAP-24/01/18