By Edward Acquah
Rabat, Oct. 29, GNA – Moroccan King Mohammed VI and French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday signed the Declaration on “the reinforced exceptional partnership” between their respective states aimed at better addressing their shared challenges.
The Declaration, which was signed at the Royal Office in Rabat as part of the French President’s three-day state visit to Morocco, seeks to mobilise all relevant sectors of bilateral, regional and international cooperation towards achieving the desired objectives.
Under the partnership, France and Morocco would work to deepen and modernise their partnership to promote economic development, social cohesion and their “strategic autonomy.”
Among the key sectors that would require intensified attention and increased efforts under the Declaration are health safety and vaccine production.
Others are water and water resources management, agriculture, forest management and food security, road, railway and maritime infrastructure development and urban mobility.
Additionally, connectivity, energy transition, and renewables, artificial intelligence, security and defence cooperation, education, scientific research and university education cooperation, cultural cooperation, mainly in cultural, creative and heritage industries will receive attention.
With Morocco preparing to host the 2030 World Cup, the North African country also seeks to cooperate with France in sports and major events’ organisation, following the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games.
“The two Heads of State welcome the ambitious cooperation that they have established and strengthened in migration and call for building a comprehensive agenda in this regard, including facilitating legal mobility, fighting irregular immigration and promoting cooperation in readmission and prevention of departures,” the document announcing the Declaration, said in part.
“… as well as strengthening coordination between the countries of origin, transit and destination, based on the shared responsibility principle,” it added.
President Macron and his spouse, Brigitte Macron touched down at the Rabat-Salé Airport Monday afternoon to begin his three-day visit to Morocco from October 28 to October 30, 2024, at the invitation of King Mohammed VI.
A statement issued by the Royal Office Monday night said King Mohammed VI and President Macron earlier held talks at the Royal Palace in Rabat, focusing on the transition to a new era of strong relations between Morocco and France.
The renewed relations, the statement said, was situated within the framework of a “renewed exceptional partnership and a strategic roadmap for the years to come.”
“Discussions also focused on regional and international issues. Thus, the two Heads of State agreed to work together to strengthen the Euro-Mediterranean, African and Atlantic projection, in a process of joint action to promote prosperity and human and sustainable development,” it said.
GNA