Morocco will support the European Union in the deployment of the innovative “Global Gateway” strategy, head of government Aziz Akhannouch said on Tuesday in Brussels. The Morocco-Nigeria Gas Pipeline is one of the illustrations of this partnership with strong potential for regional and bicontinental integration.
The “Global Gateway” project, which aims for integrated development and enhanced mutually beneficial connectivity for Europe and Africa, by putting Africa at the heart of its strategy, is seen as an excellent initiative which perfectly with the role of bridge between the two continents played by Morocco.
“Morocco will support the European Union in the deployment of this important strategy for our continent. The strongest support we can give is that of exemplary successes that we share. This is the spirit in which the Kingdom is inscribed »affirmed in this regard, the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, on the occasion of the opening of the European Development Days (EDD), placed under the theme “Global Gateway: Creating Lasting Partnerships for a Connected World”.
The head of the Moroccan government explained that over the past 20 years, Morocco has intensified its exchanges with its home continent, which has enabled it to be today the leading African investor in West Africa, and the second on the continent.
This place occupied today in Africa by Morocco is the result of the vision of King Mohammed VI who made Africa a priority and “The Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline is one of the most striking illustrations of this. Morocco is planning long-term infrastructure projects with our continent,” said the head of government.
This gas pipeline project linking Africa to Europe must be able to be included as a flagship initiative of the Global Gateway plan as it represents a powerful vector for regional and bicontinental integration, he added, explaining that Morocco has always played the role of a bridge – a sort of “gateway” – between Africa and Europe that the creation of lasting and reliable partnerships is “inscribed in the DNA of the Kingdom”.
“Very soon after the launch of European integration, Morocco and the EU were able to build, patiently and over the long term, an exceptional partnership, which continues to develop today, thanks to a Royal Will as strong as it is constant”he recalled, noting that “This partnership, Morocco and the EU wanted it to be global, ambitious, equal to equal, based on shared values and driven by common interests, which today makes it a strategic, reliable, necessary and unique “.
“Building on these achievements, Morocco and the European Union can today invest in fields of future cooperation. Morocco is the first country in the world to engage in the conclusion of a Green Partnership with the EU »added Mr. Akhannouch.
“This avant-garde orientation of the Morocco-EU Partnership, and its proven ability to deliver results, gives it a strength of emulation, projection and success, beneficial both for the African continent and for the Euro-Mediterranean region. », he argued.
The head of government also indicated that Morocco has proven its resilience in the face of the pandemic and has succeeded in a high-level vaccination campaign, with more than 63% of the population fully vaccinated, while having the ambition to go much further to achieve effective prevention.
It is in this context that under the enlightened vision of HM King VI, Morocco has launched the construction of a vaccination factory intended for Morocco and the African continent, he recalled, assuring that the Morocco places the protection and development of its citizens at the forefront of its priorities.
“Our country is currently carrying out three large-scale reforms. That of social protection, health and education aimed at supporting, training and releasing the energies of our citizens throughout their lives,” he indicated.
On the other hand, observing that “Morocco is working to ensure enhanced connectivity between our continents”, he indicated that the Kingdom has already built first-class infrastructures. He cited Tanger-Med which is today the first African and Mediterranean transshipment port, to which are added many new projects, which, combined with the existing international airports, will make it possible to connect the African and European continents by air, sea, rail and road.
“These exchanges cannot take place without a stable and sustainable world. However, this stability is now threatened by global warming and the problems of energy prices and supply,” he said, noting that thanks to the Farsighted Vision of HM the King, Morocco has assumed its responsibilities by being a pioneer in renewable energies for more than 15 years, while being at the forefront of new energy technologies, such as the development of green hydrogen.
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