Diplomacy is advancing bilateral cooperation between Morocco and Benin. Among other important meetings revealed by the foreign ministers of both countries is the holding of the 7th Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation in Cotonou at the beginning of 2024.
The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and his Beninese counterpart, Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, emphasized the importance of bilateral relations driven by the will of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His brother, H.E. President Patrice Talon, during a telephone conversation on Tuesday, December 12.
The two ministers reiterated the importance of active solidarity and mutually beneficial partnership as the basis for bilateral relations. In this context, the Beninese Minister of Foreign Affairs reiterated the Republic of Benin's support for the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco. Olushegun Adjadi Bakari also reaffirmed his country's support for the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco as the only credible and realistic solution to the regional dispute over the Sahara.
The Beninese foreign minister assured Bourita that as part of the review of the diplomatic and consular map, he would advocate for the establishment of a consular presence in the city of Laâyoune in the Moroccan Sahara.
He also informed that he would undertake a mission to Dakhla, specifically to observe the economic and social development in the region and to establish partnerships on the ground.
The two ministers also agreed to hold the 7th Joint Morocco-Benin Cooperation Commission in Cotonou at the beginning of 2024. They welcomed the good preparation of this joint commission, marked in particular by the finalization of agreements and memoranda in several areas of cooperation, reflecting the willingness of both countries to inject new dynamics into their already excellent relations, according to a statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad.
Nasser Bourita, emphasizing the importance of the human dimension, informed his Beninese counterpart of the decision to increase the number of scholarships for the training of Beninese executives in Morocco. He also conveyed that, in the context of facilitating the free movement of people between the two countries, Morocco will carefully consider the visa exemption for Beninese nationals holding ordinary passports.
Furthermore, as of January 1, 2024, Beninese citizens will benefit from the e-Visa facility, developed since 2023 with the Kingdom's brotherly and friendly countries.
