The Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, and his Mauritanian counterpart, Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk, held a joint press conference following their meeting in Rabat.
"His Majesty the King believes that Mauritania has a significant role and importance in the framework of the Royal Initiative aimed at facilitating access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean," stated Nasser Bourita during a joint press conference with Mauritanian counterpart Mohamed Salem Ould Marzouk.
Highlighting the unique nature of the Mauritanian Foreign Minister's visit to Morocco on the instructions of His Excellency the Mauritanian President, Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs emphasized the importance of the relationships between the two countries. He described them as "special and historical," influenced by geography, blood ties, and proximity.
From this perspective, the Minister underscored the particular importance that His Majesty the King attaches to the Moroccan-Mauritanian relations, as well as the Sovereign's interest in their development on all levels. He added that strengthening bilateral relations has always been at the forefront of Royal Directives, given the exceptional ties between the two nations.
Bourita mentioned the recent telephone conversation between His Majesty the King and His Excellency the Mauritanian President, where the importance and uniqueness of bilateral relations were reaffirmed. The Sovereign expressed high esteem for President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani and acknowledged his role in promoting stability and development in Mauritania and the broader regional context, establishing his country as a pole of stability in the Sahel and West Africa.
In this context, the Minister noted that the mechanisms of bilateral relations are functioning positively, as evidenced by the holding of the Morocco-Mauritania Joint High Commission in March 2022. The commission's work resulted in the signing of several agreements and significant outcomes, reflecting the Majesty's ambition to see Moroccan-Mauritanian relations reach their full potential considering the historical, human, and neighborly ties.
Furthermore, discussions with the Mauritanian counterpart, focusing on regional issues, provided an opportunity to reaffirm and commend the positive dynamics of Mauritanian diplomacy. This success is attributed to the role of President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani, his credibility, and the trust he inspires in all partners. The Minister emphasized that Mauritania is now a crucial actor for regional stability.
Regarding education, Bourita highlighted that Mauritanian students in Morocco rank first in terms of numbers and scholarships awarded, confirming the enduring human ties between the two peoples.
Economically, Bourita emphasized the significant development of bilateral relations, with Morocco being Mauritania's top trading partner on the continent and the leading African investor in Mauritania. He underlined the ambition of His Majesty the King and President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El-Ghazouani to elevate these relations to strategic levels, making them an exemplary model for neighboring countries with all the necessary attributes to establish an inspiring cooperation model.
Promising Perspectives
The Mauritanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mohamed Salem Ould Merzoug, asserted on Monday in Rabat that Moroccan-Mauritanian relations are poised for promising prospects. Speaking at a joint press conference with the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad, Nasser Bourita, Ould Merzoug added that their discussions focused on recent developments in the Arab, African, and Islamic realms, as well as certain challenges inherent in the international context.
In this context, the Mauritanian foreign minister emphasized the convergence of views between the two parties on the discussed issues.
Ould Merzoug further stated that Moroccan-Mauritanian relations are built on solid foundations and ties of blood and religion, explaining that this predisposes them to further development.
The coordination between the heads of state and the ministries of both countries reflects the keen interest in the well-being of the two brotherly peoples, he insisted.