The High Representative and Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, is scheduled to visit Morocco on April 16 and 17, where she will engage in significant diplomatic discussions. Her itinerary includes a one-on-one meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, which will be followed by a joint press conference to address key topics of mutual interest. Additionally, during her visit, Ms. Kallas will meet with leaders from various sectors and tour the EuroMed University in Fez, showcasing the EU's commitment to fostering educational and cultural ties with Morocco, as announced by the European External Action Service (EEAS) in a recent press release.
This upcoming visit marks a continuation of the dialogue that began during her last meeting with Minister Bourita in Brussels on January 29, a meeting that celebrated the 30th anniversary of the EU-Morocco association agreement. At that time, both officials discussed various pressing issues, including the EU's updated position on the Western Sahara conflict. Kallas took the opportunity to officially communicate that the European Union views 'genuine autonomy' as a potentially viable solution for achieving a long-lasting resolution to the regional conflict.
Furthermore, Kallas emphasized that this updated stance is in harmony with the United Nations Security Council resolution from the previous October and underscores the EU's ongoing support for a UN-led initiative aimed at finding a sustainable solution to the Western Sahara issue. This diplomatic engagement is crucial as it reinforces the collaborative relationship between the EU and Morocco, particularly in addressing regional challenges.
It's also noteworthy that in January, EU member states granted the European Commission the mandate to begin negotiations with Morocco regarding a new fishing agreement, which highlights the growing economic ties between the two entities.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
