In a bid to revitalize their bilateral relations, Morocco and Egypt held a High Joint Commission meeting marked by clear messages from Rabat, addressing both strategic issues and the persistent trade imbalance that continues to favor the Egyptian side. DR ‹ › Behind the public displays of warmth in Cairo, Rabat sent a series of firm messages to its Egyptian partner, blending political signals with economic pressure. On Monday, during the Morocco–Egypt High Joint Commission meeting in Cairo, Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch called for a «strategic partnership» grounded in «pragmatic orientations», stressing the need for concrete economic integration to strengthen both countries as «key regional hubs». The Moroccan official also underscored the political dimension of bilateral ties, stating that «the strength of our relationship also depends on the clarity of our positions on our respective strategic issues». This comes amid recent tensions following the broadcast of Egyptian voices perceived as favorable to the Polisario on Algerian channels, raising questions about Cairo's ability to control narratives that diverge from its official stance. Despite these frictions, the joint communiqué issued after the meeting reaffirmed Egypt's support for Morocco's autonomy plan for the Sahara, a position Cairo has reiterated on several occasions. The need to rebalance trade On the economic front, Akhannouch emphasized the need to rebalance trade flows, calling for «an increase in both the volume and value of bilateral trade in a balanced manner» and for the full use of the legal framework in place since 2004. He also urged «the removal of administrative constraints and barriers to ensure smoother trade flows and encourage two-way investment». Morocco and Egypt, alongside Tunisia and Jordan, have been signatories to the Agadir Agreement since 2004, aimed at establishing a free trade zone. However, Moroccan exporters have long pointed to a structural trade deficit, with little progress despite the agreement. In May 2025, Secretary of State for Foreign Trade Omar Hjira highlighted the imbalance before the House of Representatives: Moroccan exports have fallen by more than threefold in less than a decade, while imports from Egypt have tripled. This issue was central to a Moroccan delegation's visit to Egypt in May 2025, led by Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour. While the visit resulted in pledges, Rabat's decision on February 3 to impose anti-dumping measures on certain Egyptian products signaled a more assertive stance, reflecting growing impatience over the lack of progress. Logistics and strategic positioning Akhannouch also stressed the importance of expanding cooperation, particularly through stronger logistical and maritime connectivity. Rabat is notably focusing on developing a Tangier Med–Port Said corridor linked to the Suez Canal, a project that could position both countries as «an integrated platform and a shared gateway to African, European, and Asian markets». He further highlighted the need to update the legal framework governing bilateral relations to keep pace with rapid changes in the global economy. In the background, another source of tension is emerging: Morocco's growing military cooperation with Ethiopia, following the signing of a defense agreement in Rabat on June 17, 2025 between the Royal Armed Forces (FAR) and the Ethiopian army. This development is a sensitive issue for Cairo, given the strategic stakes surrounding the Nile region.
