Moroccan autonomy initiative, a serious and credible solution, says Serbian FM
Serbian Foreign Minister, Nicola Selakovic, has commended the efforts made by Morocco in order to reach a realistic, practical and enduring political solution to the Sahara issue in a spirit of compromise and realism and in full compliance with UN Security Council resolutions.
“The Republic of Serbia considers the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, under Moroccan sovereignty, as a serious and credible solution,” says a joint statement issued Wednesday following talks the Serbian official held with his Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita in Rabat.
The Serbian FM is on a visit to Morocco as part of the celebration of the 64th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Morocco and Serbia.
Speaking at a press briefing, the Serbian top diplomat welcomed the virtuous dynamic characterizing bilateral relations which are based on “understanding, reciprocity and respect for common interests and values”, deeming it as “the precondition for an open dialogue” between the two countries.
“Morocco is a friend of the Republic of Serbia”, he pointed out, noting that the quality of the political dialogue between the two countries should be reinforced by “an adequate economic cooperation and a rapprochement between the two peoples.”
The Serbian official also hailed Morocco’s management of the Covid-19 pandemic as well as the vaccination campaign, noting that his country is ready to share its experience in this area with Morocco.
At the economic level, the Serbian FM noted that the next session of the joint commission for commercial, economic and scientific cooperation, scheduled in Belgrade, on June 23-24, 2021, will be an opportunity to discuss the means to further strengthen economic cooperation.
“Serbia and Morocco share important values and interests which must be translated into concrete cooperation,” he stressed.
For his part, Bourita thanked Serbia for “its constant and constructive position on the Moroccan Sahara issue and the territorial integrity of Morocco”.
He also welcomed bilateral relations that are “marked by friendship and trust, mutual respect and solidarity” between the two countries, as well as the “total convergence of views with regard to our respective strategic interests.”
“If our relations are good at the political, consultation and coordination levels, I think that the economic potential is not yet fully used. This is the roadmap on which we have agreed today to give greater impetus to our economic relations,” Bourita pointed out.
The two countries signed three partnership agreements providing for the exchange of know-how and experience and the strengthening of bilateral relations.
These agreements include a Memorandum of Understanding on political consultations; a Cooperation Program in the fields of Culture, Higher Education, Scientific Research, Communication, Media, Youth and Sports (2021-2024); and a Defense Cooperation Agreement, which will enable the exchange of know-how and experience and enhance bilateral relations in the field.
