These cooperation programs aim to support the reform projects launched by Morocco.
Morocco and the European Union (EU) signed Thursday in Rabat, five cooperation programs worth a total of nearly €500 million.
Signed by the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance, in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa, and the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, these cooperation programs focus on support for strengthening social protection, support for the green transition, support for public administration reform, support for migration management, and support for strengthening financial inclusion.
This is the second phase of the EU-funded program to support social protection in Morocco, with a budget of €130 million. Its main objective is to support the reform of the country’s social protection system, improving the quality and efficiency of basic social services and establishing a universal social protection system.
As for the “Green Land” program, which is part of the EU-Morocco Green Partnership, it is financed to the tune of €115 and aims to support the green, inclusive and innovative aspects of “Generation Green” and “Forests of Morocco.” The main objective is to improve the environmental and economic sustainability of agricultural and forestry activities while promoting the social and economic inclusion of rural populations.
This €50-million funding aims to improve citizens’ access to public services, organize government services more efficiently and promote the dematerialization of administrative procedures.
The program to support the management of migration flows is in line with the objectives of Morocco’s National Immigration and Asylum Strategy and has been allocated €152 million. The program aims to support Moroccan authorities in their efforts to address the challenges of irregular migration, migrant smuggling, and human
trafficking. The program also aims to improve migration management by strengthening the institutional and legal framework, promoting access to basic services for migrants and their integration.
For the program of Support to Financial Inclusion, it aims to improve access to finance for businesses as well as for people with difficulties in accessing financial products and services, with a funding amount of €51 million.
Speaking on this occasion, Fouzi Lekjaa stressed that the signing of these agreements for important projects represents a major step in the economic, social and environmental development of the Kingdom. He also
welcomed the commitment of the European Union to support the efforts of Morocco in its quest for sustainable and inclusive development, recalling that these projects reflect the quality and density of cooperation ties between Morocco and the EU, as well as the importance of community support for the development efforts of the country.
For his part, Oliver Varhelyi said that Morocco is and will remain an essential partner for the EU, adding that the Union has begun the implementation of the renewed partnership and the economic and investment plan presented less than a year after his visit to Morocco.
HA/fss/abj/APA