On High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Mr. Nasser Bourita, chaired the 5th Morocco-Niger Joint Cooperation Commission on Wednesday in Niamey.
On the occasion of the meeting of this Joint Commission, co-chaired on the Nigerien side by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Mr. Bourita emphasized the Kingdom of Morocco’s determination to elevate ties with the Republic of Niger to a multidimensional partnership, in accordance with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
In a speech delivered at the opening of this 5th session, he emphasized that this meeting is « a key step in reaffirming the historic ties uniting our two countries and our shared commitment to elevating them to a multidimensional strategic partnership. »
The minister highlighted Morocco’s unwavering commitment to South-South cooperation, under the enlightened leadership of His Majesty the King, which he described as « a constant strategic choice for Morocco and a fundamental pillar of its foreign policy. »
In this context, he recalled major Royal Initiatives aimed at achieving continental integration, foremost among which are the Initiative of the Atlantic African States and the Royal Initiative to facilitate Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States—two initiatives that share a common goal: creating conditions for a new era of shared development, security, and stability on the continent.
Mr. Bourita also reaffirmed Morocco’s full solidarity with Niger in its fight against terrorism and violent extremism, strongly condemning terrorist attacks that targeted sensitive facilities in the country.
Commending the resilience of Nigerien forces, the minister highlighted the religious dimension in preventing extremism, through training imams and mourchidines (guides) at the Mohammed VI Institute, whose tangible results contribute to reinforcing intellectual and spiritual security in brotherly Niger.
Mr. Bourita also emphasized that this 5th session of the Joint Commission will mark « a qualitative turning point » in the bilateral cooperation process, with the signing of several agreements and memoranda of understanding covering vital and multiple sectors to diversify and enrich the partnership, particularly in the fields of renewable energy, the pharmaceutical industry, health, transportation, infrastructure, youth, and sports.
The minister also highlighted the positive role played by the Moroccan private sector in Niger through investments in banking, telecommunications and air transport, expressing belief in the promising potential to develop and expand these investments for the benefit of both countries.
He also welcomed the level of cooperation in the academic, cultural, and religious spheres, through the annual scholarship programs offered to Nigerien students.
Mr. Bourita then reaffirmed Morocco’s willingness to make this session « a new beginning toward a more advanced phase » in bilateral relations, up to the expectations of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His brother His Excellency Abdourahamane Tiani, President of the Republic of Niger, thus embodying the optimum model of African cooperation based on active solidarity and mutually beneficial partnership.
