Morocco, Switzerland Commend Excellent Level of Bilateral Relations, Positive Dynamic Characterizing their Partnership

On Jun 23, 2023

On Friday in Rabat, the Swiss Federal Advisor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, praised the excellent level of bilateral relations and the positive dynamic that have characterized their partnership since the adoption of the joint declaration in 2021.

They stressed the significance of the joint declaration, which was signed in December 2021 in Berne, as a roadmap for enhancing these bilateral relations in all sectors during a news conference after their talks.

In this regard, Cassis emphasized that today’s visit was a perfect chance to assess this bilateral cooperation in light of the signing of the joint statement, which was meant to be fruitful and rich in outcomes beyond its symbolic significance in commemorating the 100th anniversary of bilateral relations.

In addition, he emphasized the two nations’ “solid and more than a century-old” deep friendship, noting that Morocco and Switzerland had just celebrated their 100th year of diplomatic relations two years prior in Berne. He also reiterated his nation’s desire to further develop ties with the Kingdom.

He described this assessment as “very positive” and mentioned that the two nations had signed a climate cooperation pact over the previous 18 months on the eve of the COP 27 Climate Conference, which would be hosted in Sharm El Sheikh in 2022. In a similar vein, a memorandum of understanding on education and research has been adopted, in addition to the formation of a Moroccan-Swiss parliamentary friendship group, which will improve communication between the two nations.

The Swiss official emphasized that Morocco “plays a significant role on the international and multilateral scene, such as within the UN and the Human Rights Council,” and that in such a short period of time the two countries had succeeded in developing stable, growing, and fruitful bilateral cooperation, which will enable them to meet regional and geopolitical challenges.

For his part, Bourita commended the strength of the two countries’ relations, describing them as “excellent and promising” and characterized by a very good dynamic. He added that this visit would help to further advance and elevate the two nations’ collaboration.

The minister expressed the Kingdom’s satisfaction with the manner in which the obligations specified in the declaration have been carried out, saying that “since the adoption of the joint declaration, there has been a very positive synergy that has given a new impetus to Moroccan-Swiss cooperation.”

He emphasized that “His Majesty King Mohammed VI attaches great importance to diversifying the Kingdom’s partnerships with all countries, particularly within Europe,” and that “the improvement of relations with Switzerland is in line with the implementation of Royal Directives.”

On this occasion, the two ministers welcomed the close cooperation between the two nations in the area of migration while noting with delight the strengthening of political dialogue, distinguished by frequent consultations and exchanges of visits on both sides.

Bourita and Cassis also emphasized the significance of enhancing collaboration in the academic and scientific disciplines, particularly by encouraging student, faculty, and administrative and technical executive mobility.

They also applauded the excellent multilateral cooperation between the two nations, particularly in light of Switzerland’s and Morocco’s respective terms on the UN Human Rights Council (2023–2024) and Security Council (2023–2024).