The Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, stated that Morocco's proposal for autonomy in the Sahara is «one of the most feasible solutions» for resolving the regional dispute. During her meeting with the Moroccan Foreign Minister, she also announced the strengthening of cooperation between Rabat and Brussels. The Vice-President of the European Commission, Kaja Kallas, and the Moroccan Foreign Minister, Nasser Bourita ‹ › During her official visit to Morocco, Kaja Kallas, the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission, highlighted the autonomy proposal for the Sahara, under Moroccan sovereignty, as «one of the most viable solutions» to settle the regional dispute. On Thursday, Kallas was welcomed in Rabat by Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita. She underlined the EU's call for the involved parties to «engage in discussions without preconditions, using Morocco's autonomy plan as a basis to reach a definitive political solution», as stated in a joint communiqué following their meeting. Just ahead of the UN Security Council's upcoming session, the EU expressed appreciation for Rabat's readiness to elaborate on this autonomy plan. The statement also lauded the adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2797, which supports the efforts of the UN Secretary-General and his personal envoy in negotiations anchored in the Moroccan proposal. In a press briefing after their discussions, Kaja Kallas noted that the UN had «announced a shift in stance earlier this year», signifying «the substantial progress achieved with the Security Council resolution, which advocates for renegotiations based on Morocco's autonomy plan». «This also underscores the European Union's steadfast support for the UN-led process. The recent agreements, including those facilitated by the United States and the UN, are promising.» Kaja Kallas Kaja Kallas's visit to Morocco comes at a time when both parties are actively working on advancing the Bilateral Agenda for strategic cooperation projects between Morocco and Europe. This momentum, backed by the EU's stance, confirms a convergence of views across various domains. Moving Towards Enhanced Cooperation In this context, Nasser Bourita highlighted that just last week, the visit of the European Commission's Executive Vice-President for technological sovereignty, security, and democracy, Henna Virkkunen, to Morocco, paved the way for a new partnership in this field. Beyond university agreements, Morocco's Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research, and Innovation, Azzedine El Midaoui, engaged in talks with the European Commissioner for Research and Innovation, Ekaterina Zaharieva. This visit to Brussels marked the signing of the second phase of the Partnership for Research and Innovation in the Mediterranean Area (PRIMA), focusing on water and agriculture. Morocco's Foreign Minister emphasized that the discussions with Kaja Kallas «once again demonstrated the presence of a dialogue on numerous subjects, reflecting the depth of the partnership between Morocco and the European Union». «We also agreed on implementing a document that commits us to discussions on the future of the Morocco-EU partnership, aiming to swiftly establish a framework for a strengthened strategic partnership in the coming years.» Nasser Bourita Furthermore, both parties agreed to deepen cooperation at international and regional levels, launching several joint initiatives to promote human rights, peace, security, and global stability. Strengthening cooperation and dialogue within shared expert circles in the Mediterranean, the African Sahel, and the Atlantic was also on the agenda. Decisions Shaping the Future of Morocco-EU Relations Kaja Kallas emphasized that Morocco is a «reliable and strategic» partner for the EU, which stands as the kingdom's leading trading partner and largest foreign investor. Addressing the reinforcement of this dynamic, she mentioned «a new strategic partnership focused on trade, investment, and immigration», aligned with a «political commitment translated into tangible results». «In areas such as ecological transition, education, and investment, we have already made significant strides. We are establishing new programs centered on skills, entrepreneurship, and improving the business climate.» Kaja Kallas Recently, the two parties also initiated a new dialogue on digital technology, focusing on artificial intelligence, infrastructure, and innovation. Kaja Kallas also acknowledged Morocco's pivotal role in fostering regional cooperation, notably through its contribution to the Pact for the Mediterranean.
