Morocco and Switzerland plan to increase cooperation in all areas of mutual interest – Joint Statement

Morocco and Switzerland underlined their desire to expand bilateral relations and collaboration in all areas of mutual interest on Friday.

The two countries “recognize the need of a thorough and regular interaction to deepen mutual understanding,” according to a joint statement issued at the end of Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad Nasser Bourita’s visit to Bern. They also recall their separate Paris Climate Agreement pledges, which were reiterated at COP-22 in Morocco.

Morocco and Switzerland affirm that they recognize the transnational nature of migration issues and the importance of addressing them in a partnership spirit at the bilateral, regional, and multilateral levels, and that they are working to develop exchanges on all issues of common interest in order to contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, and prosperity. They also cite their numerous bilateral agreements and statements of intent on sectorial collaboration.

The declaration further emphasizes that both countries are obligated by the values and goals embodied in the United Nations Charter and follow the rule of international law.

It goes on to say that the Kingdom of Morocco and the Swiss Confederation want to hold regular political consultations, in principle on an annual basis, alternating between Rabat and Bern, with the goal of strengthening and deepening high-level political dialogue, promoting concrete cooperation on bilateral, regional, and international issues, and consulting on strategic issues of major importance to both countries, on global issues, and exploring new areas of cooperation.

According to the joint statement, the two countries will work to accelerate the pace of working visits at all levels to strengthen dialogue and consultation between governments and economic operators, contribute to the strengthening of peace, security, and international stability, and exchange information on human rights, including progress made by the signatories in the protection and promotion of these rights.

Morocco and Switzerland also hope to improve bilateral political dialogue through frequent meetings of their Foreign Ministers and interactions between the central directors of their respective departments.

In terms of economics and trade, both countries welcome the free trade agreement between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) member states, as well as the investment protection agreement and the double taxation agreement between Switzerland and Morocco, which provide a solid foundation for bilateral economic relations.

They remind each other that their free trade agreement is a vital tool in their bilateral relationship, and that the joint committee of this free trade agreement between EFTA and Morocco is the appropriate authority to discuss any issues relating to it.

Recognizing the importance of continuously improving the conditions for trade and investment growth and diversification based on the interests of the companies involved, both countries are willing to conduct ad hoc economic exchanges and meetings and facilitate the development of links between the respective private sectors, such as through the holding of investment forums.

They want to look into the prospects for collaboration in order to create joint Moroccan-Swiss operations in Africa, particularly through both countries’ Cooperation Agencies.

Based on the interests of the respective economic places, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Swiss Confederation intend to promote actor cooperation in areas such as pharmaceutical industry, medical equipment, chemical industry, high technology, renewable energy infrastructure, and, as part of cooperation in economic development and sustainable finance.

The two countries hope to maintain and extend their collaboration in the field of sustainable tourism, including the organization of tourism fairs, exhibitions, and seminars, as well as the training of hotel and tourism professionals.

They seek to continue their collaboration in international trade, economic, and financial organizations in order to better serve the goals of sustainable development and ensure the integration of both countries into the international economic relations system.

In terms of migration, Morocco and Switzerland express their appreciation in a joint statement for the strengthening of bilateral cooperation on migration, including the hosting of bilateral migration meetings.

They seek to enhance bilateral collaboration on migration management and migrant protection by establishing a regular migration conversation, including the formation of a permanent joint migration group and the signing of a migration cooperation agreement.

The two parties want to debate and explore common potential to expand their collaboration in areas such as migrant protection and integration, migration governance, and methods to promote mechanisms that encourage regular and circular migration.

This includes improving technical and operational capabilities, particularly in the areas of document fraud and AFIS (Automated Fingerprint Identification System), returning formally identified illegal residents, including voluntary return, and identifying and protecting victims of human trafficking.

In terms of “Justice and Police,” both countries appreciate and seek to further their security cooperation. They value their long-standing bilateral treaty on the transfer of convicted prisoners and stress the high level of police collaboration, which has been strengthened by the appointment of a Swiss police attaché.

Parallel to the signing of a migration agreement, the two countries want to strengthen their police cooperation and intensify their relations in the area of mutual legal assistance, keeping in mind that procedures for mutual legal assistance in criminal matters and extradition are governed by the respective national laws.

In terms of “Social Insurance,” both nations are ready to enter into a cooperation agreement on social security as part of the discussions for the conclusion of an agreement in the field of migration.

In terms of long-term growth, both countries want to continue the debate started in September 2020 about collaboration under Article 6 of the Paris Climate Agreement.

They welcome the April 2019 Declaration of Intent on Sustainable Agriculture and wish to explore the operationalization of the January 30, 2018 Declaration of Intent on Energy Cooperation, to continue the good cooperation in the field of Sustainable Tourism, and to develop their cooperation in the areas of “climate and environment” in light of their respective policies and strategies in these areas.

Both countries indicate a desire to investigate the potential for South-South and triangular cooperation in the fields of environment and climate.

Both countries support and embrace collaboration in the fields of education and new technologies, particularly in the areas of training, research, and innovation, based on the principles of scientific quality, mutual interest, and the institutions’ own initiative.

They promote student mobility, as well as teacher, administrative, and technical staff mobility, within the scope of existing bilateral agreements.

Both countries welcome existing collaboration between Swiss and Moroccan universities, such as the Excellence in Africa program of the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne and the Mohammed VI Polytechnic University, as well as other autonomous collaborations between Swiss and Moroccan institutions.

They want to use and leverage existing procedures and instruments for supporting scientific and technology cooperation projects in this direction.

Both countries support the exchange of best practices within the framework of collaboration between, and on the initiative of, their respective universities. They also wish to look at exchange opportunities in the fields of digitization, technology, innovation, higher education, and scientific research.

In the realm of transportation, both countries appreciate the September 2019 Declaration of Intent on technological cooperation in the fields of roads and railroads. They hope to increase cooperation, information sharing, and expert visits in areas of mutual interest. The Joint Commission established for this purpose discusses transportation issues covered by the bilateral agreement on international road transport.

In terms of financial cooperation, Morocco and Switzerland express their mutual willingness to continue discussions on existing bilateral technical cooperation and to identify projects of mutual interest that can contribute to sustainable development and accelerate the post-COVID-19 economic recovery.

This technical cooperation aims to focus on the establishment of framework conditions for both the private and governmental sectors, including infrastructure projects through public-private partnerships.