Morocco’s Royal Atlantic Initiative showcased in Russia’s Sochi

Morocco’s foreign minister Nasser Bourita highlighted the Kingdom’s south-south cooperation approach in Africa as evidenced by the Atlantic Initiative, that was launched by King Mohammed VI to give access to the ocean and global trade to landlocked Sahel states.

Bourita was speaking at a Russia-Africa partnership forum in Sochi hosted by the Russian government.

Bourita also highlighted the importance of the gas pipeline that will link Morocco to Nigeria as well as Morocco’s co-development actions in Africa.

Morocco is the second African investor in the continent, where its leading private and public sector firms have been operating for decades in areas ranging from banks to farming, fertilizers, education, real-estate, infrastructure and health.

Speaking to Russian and African leaders in Sochi, Bourita recalled the King’s plea for a paradigm shift towards Africa, by focusing on a human-centered approach and win-win partnerships with the continent.

“What Africa truly needs are structuring projects for human and social development,” said Bourita, adding that “Africa’s best partner is the one who knows better than others how to support its momentum, address its gaps, and enhance its potential.”

On the sidelines of the forum, Bourita and Lavrov held talks on issues of common interest.