Marruecos e Israel impulsan sus relaciones de cooperación con un Memorándum de Entendimiento

The first results of the boost in relations between Morocco and Israel were embodied in Rabat with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and two cooperation agreements in sectors such as culture, youth and sports and air services.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Residing Abroad Nasser Bourita received, on Wednesday in Rabat, Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid, on his first official visit to Morocco.
Following the bilateral meeting, the two ministers signed two agreements and a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening and consolidating cooperation between the two countries.

Nasser Bourita and Yair Lapid, signed a first cooperation agreement covering the fields of culture, youth and sports. This agreement establishes a framework through which the two parties pledge to support and encourage the development of cooperation in these fields, convinced that this agreement will contribute to the strengthening of their relations and the development of mutually beneficial ties between the two countries.

The second agreement signed, between the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of the State of Israel, concerns air services. This signature is aimed at promoting the international aviation system based on competition between airlines, the establishment of air transport networks providing air services that meet the needs of the public in terms of travel and delivery, with competitive prices and services in open markets, as well as ensuring the highest degree of security in international air transport and reaffirming the deep concern of both countries about acts and threats against the safety of civil aviation, which endanger the safety of people and property.

The two ministers also signed a Memorandum of Understanding for the establishment of political consultation mechanisms between Morocco and Israel. This Memorandum will contribute to the deepening and strengthening of the multifaceted cooperative relations between the two countries through regular consultations to discuss various aspects of their bilateral relations, the exchange of views on regional and international issues of mutual interest, as well as regional and international developments. These consultations will cover all areas of political, economic, trade, scientific, technical and cultural cooperation. 

Speaking at a joint press conference, Nasser Bourita affirmed that Yair Lapid's visit reflects the commitment of the two countries to strengthen bilateral relations and give them tangible content through the establishment of effective cooperation mechanisms. Stressing that the resumption of bilateral relations between Morocco and Israel is the result of the will and conviction of the King of Morocco, who personally presided over the signing, in December 2020, of the Morocco-US-Israel tripartite agreement. The minister added that, since this moment, bilateral relations have experienced a positive dynamic. In this regard, and to support this momentum, 5 working groups have been created covering promising sectors such as research and development, tourism and agriculture.

The Moroccan minister insisted that in addition to institutional and economic aspects, human ties also play an important role in enriching relations, especially through the resumption of direct flights between the two countries and the enthusiasm that has surrounded them.

 

As for the situation in the Middle East, Bourita recalled the commitment and support of King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to a two-state solution, insisting on the need to preserve the special status of Jerusalem and to respect the freedom to practice the religious rites of the three major monotheistic religions.

For his part, the Israeli Minister of Foreign Affairs wished, first of all, to express his gratitude to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his vision and his courage which made it possible to carry out this visit today, thus bringing about the restoration of peace and friendship between the two countries.

Lapid stated that Jews have lived in Morocco in peace for more than 2 thousand years and that is why for hundreds of thousands of Israelis, Morocco is part of their identity and many of them will not come as tourists but to explore their heritage and memories.

The relations between the two countries, the Israeli minister assured, are today registering a new mutually beneficial dynamic in various fields, as reflected in the signing of several agreements, on the sidelines of this visit, which will offer the two countries new opportunities for cooperation and innovation.