News
Tuesday 23 May 2023

Rabat, Kyiv Insist on Strengthening Ties

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita, and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, visiting the Kingdom, stressed Monday in Rabat, the importance of strengthening relations between the two countries in all areas.

Speaking at a press briefing after his talks with Bourita, Kuleba said he was "honored" to be the first Ukrainian Foreign Minister to visit the Kingdom since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 1992.

Kuleba, who is stopping in the Kingdom as part of an African tour, said he made the deliberate choice to visit Morocco first, "given the good relations" between the two countries."

He said he hoped, in this regard, to pave the way "for other visits of government institutions, tourists, students and businessmen from both countries."

This visit, which comes in a particular context, reaffirms the excellence of bilateral relations, which have always been based on friendship, mutual respect and respect for the strategic interests of each of the two countries, stressed the Ukrainian diplomat.

"We covered a wide range of bilateral and regional issues, including Africa," he reported, noting that Kyiv is "aware of the potential of Morocco as a gateway to the African continent."

Kuleba also referred to the issue of Moroccan students in Ukraine, saying that the Ukrainian government "is doing its utmost to resolve all outstanding issues to allow these students to resume their studies."

Similarly, the Ukrainian minister announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the diplomatic academies of Ukraine and the Kingdom.

For his part, Bourita said that this visit is part of bilateral relations "strong and historic, based on solid friendship and cooperation."

"This relationship has always been marked by a strong human dimension through the presence of many Moroccan students in Ukraine," said the minister, indicating that both sides have agreed to further deepen this relationship in the areas of organized crime and security or economically.