Morocco-Ivorian Relations, Benchmark for Pan-African Cooperation (FM)

Rabat - Morocco-Ivorian relations are a benchmark for cooperation between African countries, thanks to their historical depth and important human dimension, said, here Wednesday, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. During a press briefing following his talks with Ivorian Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Integration and Ivorians Abroad, Kacou Houadja Léon Adom, Bourita stressed that relations between Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire, which have remarkably evolved under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI and President Alassane Ouattara, are complementary on the economic, strategic, security and diplomatic levels. The two brotherly countries are 'more than just partners, they are allies,' he said, highlighting the importance HM the King attaches to relations with Côte d'Ivoire, where the Sovereign has made six visits. The Minister emphasized that the talks with his Ivorian peer presented an opportunity to congratulate Côte d'Ivoire on the achievements mad e in terms of stability and development under President Ouattara's leadership, noting that the brotherly African country is a model of stability thanks to a clear vision of development. He added that the 2021-2025 national development program reflects the Ivorian President's ambition to consolidate his country's position at continental level as a haven of stability and development in West Africa. Bourita also stressed that Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire are linked by important political and economic coordination mechanisms, noting that Morocco's economic presence in Côte d'Ivoire is unrivaled in Africa. In this respect, the Minister recalled the important legal framework regulating bilateral relations, mainly citing the 84 conventions linking Morocco and Côte d'Ivoire, covering all areas of cooperation, adding that he had agreed with his Ivorian peer to work towards holding the joint commission before the end of the current year, to begin preparations for this meeting at a technical level, and to reactivate the channels of communication between private sector bodies. He added that the two parties have convened to further strengthen coordination on regional and international issues within organizations, particularly the African Union and the United Nations, suggesting implementing 'Morocco-Ivorian joint initiatives with regard to regional disputes in Africa and the challenges facing the continent.' Côte d'Ivoire is a major player in a series of initiatives launched by His Majesty the King, in that it is a member of the African Atlantic Initiative and plays a vital role in security, economic and environmental terms, affirming that African countries will be able, thanks to this initiative, to begin their own restructuring, and to create a main area of cooperation for the 23 countries on the Atlantic seaboard. Côte d'Ivoire is also a key player in the Nigeria-Morocco-Europe Gas Pipeline initiative, a project that has always been supported by President Alassane Ouattara and the Ivorian authorities as a structuring pro ject for cooperation in West Africa, believing that this initiative, which represents a mechanism for regional integration between the 13 countries involved, is not just an energy project but has a highly beneficial impact for all the countries concerned. As for the situation in the Sahel, the Minister stressed that Morocco's approach is clear, in that the Kingdom insists on stability in the region and in West and North Africa, highlighting the need to reject any outside interference in Sahel affairs. 'Sahel issues ought to be resolved by the region's countries, and external interferences can only be negative in this area and will accentuate instability,' Bourita said. Morocco, which has always respected and followed with interest the Economic Community of West African States's (ECOWAS) decisions - the organization grouping these states - has a great convergence of views with the positions chosen by the countries of the region, he added. The talks also focused on ways to promote complementary action in th e Sahel, in order to preserve regional stability and prevent the situation in this region from spilling over into other countries, said Bourita, stressing that the security and stability of Côte d'Ivoire remains a top priority for Morocco, in line with the vision of His Majesty the King, who takes a great interest in Morocco-Ivorian relations. 'For Morocco, Côte d'Ivoire's stability and security represent a red line, which will not be subject to any concessions,' he noted, adding that the stability, security and peace of mind of Côte d'Ivoire are a priority for the Kingdom, and cannot be the subject of any one-upmanship. Bourita took the opportunity to laud the constant position of the Ivorian authorities on the question of the Moroccan Sahara, recalling that Côte d'Ivoire has always supported Morocco's territorial integrity and sovereignty over its southern provinces. Source: Agence Marocaine De Presse