Liberia’s constant and positive positions on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara have consolidated bilateral relations, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, said Thursday in Rabat.
These positions have been expressed on several occasions, notably through the opening of a Liberian consulate general in Dakhla in March 2020, Bourita underlined during a joint press briefing with his Liberian peer, Sara Beysolow Nyanti, adding that Liberia was among the first countries to open a consulate in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
In this regard, he pointed out that Moroccan-Liberian relations have experienced significant development in recent years, thanks to the enlightened vision and High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to instill new momentum, give a strong boost to these bilateral relations and raise them to a higher level, based on the strong ties of friendship and brotherhood and fruitful cooperation reflecting the excellence of the historical relations between the two countries.
The meeting between the two parties focused on several issues, including the joint commission, scheduled for next July in Monrovia, he said, noting that preparations for the next meetings which will be held in Morocco are in progress.
Both parties also agreed, according to Bourita, to renew the cooperation roadmap by identifying the sectoral areas on which cooperation between the two countries will be based in the years to come, adding that Morocco will open a diplomatic center in Monrovia, before the end of the year.
The two sides also discussed the role played by both countries regionally, notably the important initiatives for the African continent and the West African region, in which Liberia plays an important role.
In this regard, the minister stressed that Liberia enjoys an important place in the initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in particular those relating to Atlantic African countries, the Nigeria-Morocco-Europe gas pipeline and the international initiative of His Majesty the King to promote access of Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean.
Bourita also said that it was agreed to coordinate and consult on African issues, whether within the framework of the Mano River Union, the African Union or within the framework of the UN, adding that Morocco supports the candidacies presented by Liberia for important positions within the framework of the United Nations bodies.
Morocco is committed to working with Liberia as a partner and friend in accordance with the principles of respect, solidarity and the win-win approach, advocated by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and the principle of South-South and inter-African cooperation, considered by the Sovereign as the foundation of the development of the African continent, Bourita concluded.
Liberian Foreign Minister is visiting the Kingdom on his first official visit to a foreign country since his appointment as head of Liberian diplomacy, following the presidential elections of November 2023, won by Joseph Boakai.
MAP: 18 avril 2024
