La presidenta de la Comisión Europea acude a Rabat para entrevistarse con el Gobierno
The President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, begins a trip to Morocco on Tuesday, which will continue on Wednesday and Thursday in Senegal, with the aim of strengthening relations with both countries.
"Morocco is a strategic and solid partner of the European Union (EU). The President wishes to deepen relations between the EU and Morocco as neighbours, partners and friends", the EU executive indicated in a statement.
Von der Leyen's first official visit to Morocco will begin on Tuesday afternoon with a meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita.
On Wednesday morning, the President of the European Commission will hold a meeting with the President of the Moroccan Government, Aziz Ajanuch, after which Von der Leyen and Ajanuch will make a statement to the press.
After the visit to Morocco, the President of the EU executive plans to travel to Senegal on Wednesday and Thursday, accompanied by EU Vice-President Margrethe Vestager and the Commissioners for the Single Market, Thierry Breton, for the Interior, Ylva Johansson, for International Partnerships, Jutta Urpilainen, and for Energy, Kadri Simson.
The visit to Senegal, in addition to strengthening ties with the African country, will serve to prepare for the EU-African Union Summit to be held on 17 and 18 February, the European Commission said.
Von der Leyen, Breton and Urpilainen will begin their visit on Wednesday at the Pasteur Institute in Dakar where the President will present the investments of Team Europe for Vaccines in Africa.
They will then visit the Jeunesse Sénégal consortium, an association supporting entrepreneurship.
On Thursday Von der Leyen will meet the President of Senegal, Macky Sall, who this year chairs the African Union.
During her visit to the African country, Commissioner Urpilainen will sign several cooperation agreements and another to support a programme to provide opportunities for women.
President von der Leyen will leave Senegal on Thursday afternoon, while Commissioners Vestager, Breton, Johansson, Urpilainen and Simson will continue their visit and hold meetings with ministers, including Foreign Minister Aïssata Tall and Senegalese Economy Minister Amadou Hott.
Vestager is also scheduled to meet with Digital Economy Minister Yankhoba Diatara and will visit the regional cybersecurity centre.
Breton will meet with Defence Minister Sidiki Kaba.
Commissioner Johansson will meet with Interior Minister Antoine Félix Diome and visit a border police headquarters.
Urpilainen will visit various cooperation projects to ensure access to water, combat pollution, create jobs and take in minors.
Finally, Commissioner Simson will meet with Energy Minister Sophie Gladima and officials from COS PETROGAZ, the institution in charge of oil and gas projects in the country.