Meleșcanu - bilateral consultations with his counterpart from Morocco

Romanian Foreign Minister Teodor Meleșcanu has held bilateral consultations with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, Nasser Bourita, during his official visit to the Kingdom of Morocco, stressing the importance Romania attaches to the revival and diversification of cooperation with the states of Africa, both politically, economically and sectoral.

During the talks, Meleșcanu stressed the importance that Romania attaches to the revitalization and diversification of the cooperation with the states of Africa, both politically, economically and sectoral, paying a particular attention to the traditional partners in the Maghreb region, including in the context of Romania taking over the Presidency of the EU Council in the first half of 2019 – states a press release of the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MAE).

"The two ministers welcomed the privileged relationship between Romania and the Kingdom of Morocco, characterized by mutual trust and mutual respect, based on the traditional friendship of over half a century between the two countries, as well as on the close cooperation in various fields (economic, educational, cultural). They also highlighted the common availability and the absolute political will to re-initiate the bilateral, high-level, governmental and parliamentary dialogue, as well as the need to further structure the bilateral relationship.

At the same time, Head of the Romanian Diplomacy noted with satisfaction the progress that has been made over the last years in the field of bilateral economic cooperation, Kingdom of Morocco becoming Romania's first trading partner in Africa and the Middle East, underlying in this context the interest for expanding and diversifying the fields of cooperation, in coordination with the current significant potential.

"In this regard, the two ministers examined the possibility to organize in the coming period a new meeting of the Joint Intergovernmental Commission for Economic Cooperation to identify new opportunities and cooperation projects in various fields (IT, tourism, automotive, aeronautics, shipping, infrastructure and railway material, mining, renewable energy, agro-food industry, agriculture, etc.) and to stimulate mutual investment", the source quoted.

Foreign Minister Teodor Meleșcanu also welcomed the key role and sustained efforts of Morocco to ensure regional stability and security in the southern neighborhood of the European Union, focusing on combating terrorism, preventing radicalization and managing illegal migration.

"He welcomed Morocco's reintegration into the African Union and its significant contribution to boosting regional development and effectively and sustainably managing the challenges faced by the African continent", press release states.

Romanian Foreign Minister has also highlighted the importance of the EU-Morocco multi-dimensional privileged partnership and the need to further consolidate it by capitalizing on the opportunities and tools it offers.

"He said the dialogue with the Kingdom of Morocco is also useful in terms of Romania's preparation of the Presidency of the EU Council, which it will hold in the first half of 2019", Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs says.

During the talks, the two officials also exchanged views on regional and international developments, focusing on topical issues of mutual interest, including Syria, Libya, Iraq, Sahel, etc.

In the context of the meeting, MAE mentions, there was also a ceremony for the signing of several bilateral legal documents, namely Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Romania and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco, as well as the Cooperation Agreement between the Romanian Diplomatic Institute and Moroccan Academy of Diplomatic Studies of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Source:RRA.Translated by Miruna Matei