Úrsula von der Leyen reafirma la voluntad europea de reforzar la asociación "estratégica, estrecha y sólida" con Marruecos

Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, travelled to Morocco to meet with the government of the North African country led by Prime Minister Aziz Akhannouch with the aim of strengthening joint ties, and both leaders expressed the good harmony that exists between the two parties. 

"Morocco is a country with which we have built a strategic, close and solid partnership," Von der Leyen stressed at a joint press conference with the head of government, Aziz Akhannouch, at the end of the meeting between the two, highlighting the "historic" ties that unite the two parties, as reported by the Moroccan news agency MAP. "I reaffirm our will to continue deepening our relations as neighbours, as partners and as friends," she added, in words also reported by Rue20.

Von der Leyen stressed that this stance and intention to cooperate is the same as that of the Moroccan government.  "Together we can build a common and ambitious vision of our partnership", she added.

This is Ursula von der Leyen's first visit to Morocco as president of the European Commission. This is a remarkable political move at a time when the Alawi kingdom is standing out for its important position in the international arena. In fact, many important countries have shown their unwavering support for the North African country on relevant issues, including the proposal for broad autonomy for Western Sahara under Moroccan sovereignty as the main formula for putting an end to decades of Sahrawi conflict. 

Important international powers such as the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates have recently shown their solid support for Morocco on this issue, in contrast to the Polisario Front's proposal for a referendum on independence for the Sahrawi people, which has little support, including that of Algeria, Morocco's great political rival in North Africa. 

The President of the European Commission also stressed that Morocco is the EU's leading economic and trade partner on the African continent, an important fact that demonstrates the Kingdom's current international relevance. 

The EU leader also noted that other relevant international issues were discussed during her meeting with Aziz Akhannouch, and that both sides were well attuned to each other's partnership. These included the partnership on clean energy and digital development. 

The economic and employment aspects were also discussed in depth. "Much can be done to further integrate our economies and better adapt them for the benefit of our companies, their employees and all workers," said Von der Leyen, stressing "the EU's attention to the role of youth and their crucial contribution to progress".

For his part, Aziz Akhannouch said Morocco will work seriously to consolidate the strategic partnership with the EU.

"We will take seriously the strengthening of this relationship to which His Majesty King Mohammed VI attaches particular importance," Akhannouch stressed at the joint press conference with Ursula von der Leyen.

Morocco wants to advance its partnership with the EU through the implementation of major projects, the Moroccan prime minister stressed, as reported by the MAP agency.

In order to materialise all these guidelines in numbers, it was confirmed during this summit that the European Union will provide Morocco with 1.6 billion euros between 2021 and 2027. This is an investment in the form of a grant to strengthen development, health, digitalisation and green energy in the North African country, as reported by Rue20.

The meeting between Akhannouch and Von der Leyen took place in the presence of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Resident Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and the EU Ambassador to Morocco, Patricia Pilar Llombart Cussac.