The Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, reaffirmed his strong support for Morocco's sovereignty and territorial integrity during a visit to Rabat on Tuesday. This position was outlined in a joint statement issued following his meeting with Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita. Kao is currently on a working visit to Morocco from June 24 to 26. In the joint communiqué, both parties emphasized their «unwavering commitment to the principles of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), including respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of UN Member States, which include ASEAN member states and Morocco, as well as the principles of non-interference in internal affairs and the peaceful settlement of disputes». The meeting was also an opportunity to highlight the strong ties between Morocco and ASEAN, which comprises ten Southeast Asian nations: Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei-Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia. Discussions focused on ways to further deepen and expand the partnership between Morocco and the regional bloc. On his first visit to Morocco and to the African continent Kao praised Morocco's continued commitment to enhancing cooperation with ASEAN and its member states. He also welcomed Morocco's growing involvement in various ASEAN regional structures, including the Mekong River Commission (MRC), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and the Southeast Asian Ministers of Education Organization (SEAMEO). Kao noted with satisfaction Morocco's active participation in several ASEAN-led events and forums, including those focused on human rights, economic cooperation, transportation, social welfare and development, connectivity, and smart city initiatives. Bourita reiterated Morocco's willingness to work closely with ASEAN and its member states across a wide range of sectors through a win-win approach. He also thanked Kao and ASEAN member countries for supporting Morocco's application to become an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner in September 2023. The two sides also welcomed the successful holding of the second session of the ASEAN-Morocco Joint Sectoral Cooperation Committee (AM-JSCC) in Jakarta on November 27, 2024. The third session is scheduled for November 2025. Both officials emphasized the importance of training programs offered by the Moroccan Institute of Training, Research and Diplomatic Studies (IMFRED) for diplomats from ASEAN member states and the ASEAN Secretariat. They also praised the fruitful cooperation programs underway between Morocco and ASEAN countries, particularly through the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), which also supports initiatives benefiting African nations.
