Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister, Nasser Bourita, spoke on Thursday by videoconference with his Egyptian counterpart, Sameh Chokri.
The two ministers discussed ways and means to promote stronger relations between the two countries on the basis of the deep bonds of brotherhood and fruitful cooperation that unite them.
They also insisted on the importance of raising bilateral relations to the level of the aspirations of the two heads of state, who co-chair the High Bilateral Joint Commission.
In this context, the two parties affirmed that the economic and investment dimensions constitute an important lever for the promotion of bilateral relations, called to be further strengthened in the interest of the two brotherly countries and peoples.
They expressed the capacity of Morocco and Egypt to establish complementary cooperation in various areas of added value, given the strategic positioning, economic potential and human skills available to the two countries, in addition to a rich and diversified legal framework exceeding 100 legal texts.
MM. Bourita and Chokri also expressed hope that the health situation linked to the spread of Covid-19 will improve globally, to plan the 4th edition of the Coordination and Political Consultation Mechanism as soon as possible in Cairo. This mechanism offers an institutional framework enabling the two countries to exchange views and strengthen coordination around the various issues of interest to them, at the Arab and continental levels.
As for the Moroccan Sahara, the Egyptian minister reiterated his country’s consistent support for Moroccan territorial integrity and for the Kingdom’s serious and credible efforts to find a solution to this issue.
Regarding Arab and regional affairs, the two ministers agreed that the current Arab situation requires increased coordination and consultations between Morocco and Egypt, considering that an Arab effort is necessary to strengthen solidarity and unification of Arabs, to face the major challenges facing the Arab world.
They insisted on the countries’ attachment to the security of the Arab region and its stability, expressing their refusal of any foreign interference in Arab affairs and the need to respect the sovereignty of States, the unity of their national territories. Also on the agenda of the discussions was the evolution of the Palestinian issue.
In this regard, the Egyptian minister praised the efforts of King Mohammed VI, the Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, in the defense of the city of Al-Quds as a land of coexistence between monotheistic religions.
The two ministers also spoke of the situation in Libya, stressing the importance of moving towards a comprehensive solution that can guarantee the security and stability of Libya, as well as the prosperity of its people.
At the continental level, the two parties emphasized coordination and cooperation at the level of the African Union, insisting on their resolve to strengthen consultation between the two countries around issues of common interest and to serve African integration, in order to achieve the vision of an “Africa We Want.”
This virtual meeting was an opportunity for the Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs to inform his Moroccan counterpart of the latest developments in connection with the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (GERD), in the light of recent negotiations between the parties involved.
In this regard, Mr. Bourita said that Morocco was closely following the talks hoping to see the parties reach, as soon as possible, a satisfactory solution that preserves the rights of all, in order for countries to collectively benefit from the waters of the Nile. He also stressed that dialogue, negotiations and compromises are the way forward to achieve this.
HA/fss/abj/APA