The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans living abroad, Nasser Bourita, held, this Wednesday, November 27, a videoconference with his Panamanian counterpart, Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez, following the message sent by the King Mohammed VI to the President of the Republic of Panama, José Raul Mulino, after his country’s decision to suspend all recognition of the pseudo “Sasd”, stressing that this decision opens a new page in bilateral relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Panama.
On this occasion, Javier Eduardo Martinez-Acha Vasquez expressed on behalf of the Panamanian government and people his high esteem for the royal message addressed to the President of the Republic.
The suspension of recognition of the separatist entity by Panama comes on the eve of the start of this country’s mandate as a non-permanent member of the Security Council, effective January 1, 2025. As such, the voice of Panama will make an active contribution to the search for a definitive solution to the regional dispute around the Moroccan Sahara, within the framework of the parameters established by the latest UN Security Council resolution.
Read also: Withdrawal of recognition of the SADR: the message of thanks from King Mohammed VI to the Panamanian president
This decision by the Republic of Panama also strengthens the international dynamic already supported by many countries around the world, thanks to a definitive solution to the regional dispute around the Moroccan Sahara, on the basis of the Autonomy Initiative presented by Morocco since 2007.
In the context of this new dynamic in the bilateral relationship, many promising prospects are offered to Morocco and Panama to breathe new life into their cooperation in various strategic sectors, thanks to a solid partnership, based on friendship and mutual trust.
A boost to bilateral cooperation
The two officials also stressed the importance of strengthening the legal framework for bilateral cooperation and activating the political consultation mechanism between the foreign ministries of the two countries. They also expressed, in a Joint Declaration, the desire to increase bilateral trade and develop a dynamic economic partnership based on trade and investment.
In this sense, the two ministers agreed to promote the exchange of experiences in various areas of common interest and to consolidate bilateral cooperation in sectors such as green development, energy transition, diversification of the energy matrix, agriculture and food security, fishing, water resources management, tourism, health, port infrastructure, technical cooperation, higher education, academic and professional training, cultural cooperation and migration, among others.
Read also: Moroccan Sahara: Panama suspends its diplomatic relations with the pseudo “RASD”
Furthermore, the two officials highlighted the potential for bilateral cooperation offered by the positioning of Morocco and Panama as important air, maritime and land logistics hubs respectively for Africa and for Latin America and the Caribbean. .
While highlighting the pioneering royal project of the national initiative for human development (INDH), thanks to the proximity policy advocated by the Sovereign, the Panamanian side expressed the wish to draw inspiration from the Moroccan experience in matters of promoting the conditions of citizens and social development.
The two ministers also exchanged views on regional and international terrorist threats and discussed ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the fight against terrorism, transnational organized crime and illegal immigration. Finally, they agreed to the signing of a Cooperation Road Map to structure, in an operational and concrete manner, the axes and activities of cooperation.
By Le360 (with MAP)
11/27/2024 at 7:15 p.m.
