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).

Read Also: Moroccan, Swiss MPs Discuss Strengthening Parliamentary Relations

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Nasser Bourita, Morocco’s minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates, said on Friday in Rabat that his country is prepared to host the second Negev Forum this fall and expects the political environment will be conducive.

Following his discussions with Swiss Federal Advisor, Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis, who is on a working visit to Morocco, Bourita said at a press conference, “We hope that the context will be favorable for the holding of this important event on the one hand, and that it will produce results on the other.” Cassis is currently in Morocco on a working visit.

“The Negev Forum stands for an idea of cooperation and dialogue, contrary to anything that is provocative action, unilateral action, or a decision carried out by radicals on both sides, but especially on the Israeli side, in relation to the occupied Arab territories,” the minister added.

The Negev Forum, according to the Kingdom, “is the ultimate and pertinent framework for regional cooperation and dialogue, which can provide constructive responses to a number of challenges,” said Bourita.

Indicating the political environment that would hinder this conference from yielding the outcomes anticipated from this event, he emphasized that attempts to convene this Forum throughout the summer had failed due to schedule and date conflicts.

In this regard, Bourita emphasized that efforts were currently being made to maximize the Forum’s participation and role in support of all initiatives aimed at promoting regional peace, stability, and prosperity.

Read Also: Moroccan, Swiss MPs Discuss Strengthening Parliamentary Relations

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Khadija Oulbacha, head of the Moroccan-Swiss parliamentary friendship group, met with members of a Swiss parliamentary delegation on a working visit to Morocco on Friday in Rabat to discuss ways to improve bilateral relationships and find new prospects for collaboration.

Oulbacha emphasized that the friendliness, cooperation, and respect that have always characterized Moroccan and Swiss relations have only grown stronger as a result of this visit.

“Stable bases support the high caliber of ties between Morocco and Switzerland. At the time, she told the MAP news agency that the two countries share values like democracy, a commitment to upholding human rights, and the promotion of peace. She also mentioned that the two nations are currently working on a number of topics of mutual interest, including economic cooperation, scientific research, and sustainable development.

“Since Switzerland is one of Morocco’s most significant trading partners, our political and economic interactions have always been successful, and we are grateful for Swiss investment in a number of key areas of our economy. We also appreciate Swiss knowledge in law, democracy, and government, she continued.

She emphasized the function of parliamentary diplomacy in fostering ties between the two nations and welcomed Switzerland’s stance on the territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

Latifa Chérif, a member of the Moroccan-Swiss friendship group and a member of parliament, said the meeting’s main objective was to enhance the two countries’ ties of friendship and fraternity.

We talked about the many collaborations we might have in the future, as well as the exchanges we could establish in the domains of health and renewable energy, she continued.

Michel Matter and Benjamin Roduit, two national councillors on a working trip to the Kingdom, make up the delegation from the Swiss parliament.

Read Also: Moroccan Sahara: Switzerland Reiterates Importance of Morocco’s Serious and Credible Efforts, Commends ‘Positively’ Autonomy Plan

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Switzerland has once again emphasized the significance of Morocco’s sincere and trustworthy attempts to find a political settlement to the Moroccan Sahara issue that is based on compromise, while “positively” praising the autonomy plan in the course of resolving this issue.

Ignazio Cassis, head of Switzerland’s Federal Department of Foreign Affairs and a visiting official in the Kingdom, made this statement at a press conference on Friday in Rabat after speaking with Nasser Bourita, the minister of foreign affairs, African cooperation, and Moroccan expatriates.

In his statement, he stated, “Switzerland recognizes and reiterates the importance of Morocco’s serious and credible efforts to find a peaceful political solution based on compromise.”

The autonomy plan proposed by Morocco to the UN General Secretariat on April 11, 2007, was mentioned by Cassis, who stated that “this initiative is a positive point in the process, and we will do everything in our power to facilitate a favorable solution.”

“It’s time for this issue to be settled and to find a solution, because this crisis has been going on for too long,” said Switzerland’s top diplomat.

He also indicated that Switzerland backs the efforts of the United Nations and the central role it plays in the process concerning the Sahara issue, and that it supports a political solution in line with international law and Security Council resolutions.

“I believe we need to find an agreement with the UN representative that can bring the process to a successful conclusion, with flexibility on everyone’s part,” he said.

Read Also: FM Bourita emphasizes Morocco’s commitment to strengthening institutional resilience in Africa

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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.

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The Belgian limited business of aeronautical constructions (SABCA) and the Swiss aeronautical firm Pilatus aircraft signed a contract on Monday for the entire assembly of the pc-12 aircraft’s aerostructures in a new factory in the Nouacer technopole.
This deal represents the beginning of a new long-term collaboration between Pilatus and Sabca, and it is an essential step that capitalizes on Morocco’s aerospace ecosystem.
The first completed Wing fuselage will be delivered to the Helvetian Factory in Stans at the end of 2022, according to the contract signed in the presence of Moulay Hafid Elalamy, Minister of Industry.

Pilatus et Sabca ont signé aujourd'hui un Contrat pour le montage complet à Casablanca des aerostructures de l'avion d'affaires turbopropulseur PC-12. pic.twitter.com/F1EKo99RP3

— Moulay Hafid Elalamy (@MyHafidElalamy) August 30, 2021

In Morocco, Swiss Pilatus and Belgian Sabca signed a deal to build an aerostructure assembly plant for the pc-12 aircraft.
The deal is worth 180 million Dirhams, and the first equipment is expected to arrive by the end of 2022.
The contract calls for the establishment of a new manufacturing and assembly line for the Aero structures of the PC-12 aircraft at the Nouacer Technopole Casablanca, where a new Sabca facility will be constructed over 16,000 m2.
The two partners will benefit from the expertise and cooperation of the “Institut des Métiers de l’Aéronautique” for the execution of this new project, as well as for the training and development of competent personnel for the PC 12 program.
The PC-12, the only aircraft in its class that can land on an unprepared runway, is adaptable enough to undertake a variety of tasks ranging from executive transport to freight, air ambulance, and air or government operations.
All of the aircraft’s components will be pre-assembled in Casablanca before being sent to the Stans plant in Switzerland for final assembly.
According to a news statement from the Ministry of Industry, the contract calls for the assembly of the fuselage, wings, flying controls, and electrical wiring installation.
The first Wing fuselage built at Sabca’s new manufacturing plants in Casablanca is expected to arrive in Switzerland by the end of 2022.

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The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, had a telephone conversation, yesterday Thursday, with the Federal Councillor, Head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, Ignazio Cassis.

The two ministers praised the excellent relations between Morocco and Switzerland, and stressed the importance of strengthening political dialogue and economic partnership by opening up to new areas of cooperation.

In a related context, Bourita and Cassis discussed many regional issues of common interest, and stressed the importance of continuing dialogue on multilateral issues at the level of international forums.

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Yesterday, Thursday, Switzerland praised Morocco’s “serious and credible” efforts to reach a “just and lasting” political solution to the Sahara issue.

“We reiterate the importance of the serious and credible efforts made by Morocco, aimed at finding a political solution based on consensus”, said Switzerland’s Ambassador to Morocco, Guillaume Scheurer, noting that his country encourages all parties to “work in this spirit.”

The Swiss diplomat, who was a guest on 2m Channel, considered that “negotiations are the only way to reach a just, lasting and acceptable political solution to the parties” to this regional dispute.

On the other hand, Scheurer expressed Switzerland’s support for the efforts of the United Nations and the pivotal role played by this organization in settling this issue.

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Geneva – The Moroccan community in Switzerland has expressed its full support for Morocco’s peaceful and life-saving intervention to unblock Guerguarat crossing linking Morocco to Mauritania and to secure the flow of goods and people through this buffer area.

In a joint press release intended to enlighten Swiss and international public opinion, the Moroccan Sahara association in Switzerland, the Socio-Cultural Noor association in Montreux, the Moroccan association of Geneva, and the Rabita Morocco Switzerland Association have recalled that the intervention of Morocco in Guerguarat made it possible to put an end to the provocations of the separatist group which endangers the stability not only of the region, but also of the African continent and its European neighbors.

“For three weeks, militias of the Polisario, an armed separatist group created, financed and hosted by Algeria, proceeded to block traffic in the buffer zone of Guerguarat, on the main road connecting Morocco and Mauritania ”, Recalls the press release, noting that despite the appeals of the Secretary General of the United Nations and of several countries, and despite the resolutions of the Security Council urging the Polisario to withdraw its militias, this armed separatist group has persisted in its actions of obstruction of civil and commercial mobility.

After having observed the great restraint in the face of the multiple incursions of the Polisario in the buffer zone, the Royal Armed Forces intervened to unblock the situation, restore the free movement of goods and people and secure the passage, recall these associations.

“We would like to express our full support for Morocco’s decision to act to put an end to the serious and dangerous provocations of the Polisario which seeks to destabilize the region after its failures on the political and diplomatic levels”, they noted.

The actions of this armed group, they stressed, are a threat to the stability and security of the Sahel-Saharan zone, but also of Europe. “We thus call on Swiss, European and international public opinion to address these provocations harmful to regional peace and stability”, the statement added.

These associations also called “to put an end to the ordeal and suffering endured by the sequestered populations in the Tindouf camps, led by the Polisario, in southern Algeria, by allowing them to return with dignity to the mother country, Morocco”.

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