EU Commissioner Oliver Varhelyi visits Morocco amid tensions with European Parliament

European Union commissioner for Neighborhood & Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi started Monday a two-day visit to Morocco amid tensions with the European Parliament following the orchestrated smear campaign carried out by some MEPs against the North African Kingdom.

In his twitter account, Mr. Varhelyi said talks in Rabat will focus on how to deepen further strategic Partnership between EU and Morocco, he describes as “a strong partner of the EU”.

The two partners are working together for shared prosperity and security, said the European Commissioner.

“Our aim: to mobilize Morocco-EU public & private sector to invest in real economy, promote digital & energy transition and support Research, Development, innovation & technology transfer”, said the Commission in his twitter posts.

The European official’s visit is part of the implementation of the Joint Political Declaration, which was adopted in June 2019 and which established the “Euro-Moroccan Partnership of Shared Prosperity”. This Partnership is structured around four Spaces: political and security; Economic; values; knowledge, and two horizontal axes (Environment and migration).

Second of its kind in less than a year, the visit of Commissioner Varhelyi comes following that of the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, Josep Borrell, in January 2023.

Varhelyi said he will meet Mohamed Benchaâboun, Director General of Mohammed VI Investment Fund, adding the EU is ready to co-finance projects and make direct contribution to the Fund.

Varhelyi will also meet with Minister of Foreign Affairs Nasser Bourita and several other Moroccan officials.