Japan welcomes Morocco’s serious, credible efforts within framework of Autonomy Initiative for Sahara; Keen to promote economic ties with Kingdom
Japan has welcomed this Friday Morocco’s “serious and credible efforts” within the framework of the autonomy initiative to settle the Sahara issue.
This position was expressed by Japan’s Foreign Minister, Yoko Kamikawa, during talks in Tokyo with her Moroccan peer Nasser Bourita, the Japanese Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Based on Japan’s “consistent” position, Kamikawa referred to the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented on 11 April 2007 to the UN Secretary-General, underlining the “serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward toward a resolution” of the Sahara issue, the statement said.
Bourita, who is visiting Japan, welcomed Japan’s position on the Moroccan Sahara.
At a press briefing following the talks, the Japanese Foreign Minister also pointed out that her country is keen to explore ways to strengthen economic relations with Morocco.
As a gateway to the African market that connects Europe and sub-Saharan countries, Morocco has strong potential in many areas, including business and investment, she said.
In response to a question regarding Nasser Bourita’s visit, Kamikawa underlined that Morocco has been working, in recent years, to attract investment, pointing out that Japanese companies are “highly interested” in Morocco as a base for expanding into the African region.
She underlined that Japan and Morocco have enjoyed a long-standing and friendly relationship based on the friendly relations between the Imperial and Royal families.
Bourita’s visit to Japan is an opportunity to further strengthen Japan-Morocco relations and deepen bilateral cooperation, Kamikawa said, adding that it also provides an opportunity to have a “candid” discussion on regional situations, including the situation in the Middle East.
The Japanese-Moroccan talks highlighted by the signing of a cooperation MoU meant to upgrade partnership between the two countries.
Nasser Bourita expressed hope that the MoU would strengthen further cooperation in a large array of fields, including politics, security, Economy, infrastructures, renewable energies, and food security.
The Moroccan official also conferred with Japanese Minister of economy, trade, and industry Ken Saitō.
During the meeting, Bourita presented the high-impact structuring projects of the Atlantic seaboard, notably those underway in the Southern Provinces, such as the Dakhla Atlantic Port, which will ensure cross-border connectivity with sub-Saharan countries.
For his part, Saito praised the economic reforms undertaken Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, which have enabled Morocco to position itself as a leader in Africa in the automotive, aeronautics, and textile sectors, and second in the pharmaceutical and outsourcing sectors.
During the meeting, the Japanese Minister announced that a Representative of the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry will be assigned to the Japanese Embassy in Rabat in July, to further boost trade relations between the two countries and promote the establishment of Japanese companies in Morocco’s high-potential provinces.
The Japanese official stressed that Morocco, with its diversified and open economy, offers Japanese companies a competitive platform with access to a vast market thanks to its numerous free trade agreements.
The meeting provided an opportunity to explore the new investment opportunities offered by Morocco in high-potential sectors such as green hydrogen, green ammonia and seawater desalination. The two ministers also discussed the issue of food security in the face of the challenge posed by the impact of climate change.
The two ministers welcomed the meeting as an important step in strengthening ties between Morocco and Japan, and opening up new prospects for cooperation in the years to come.
