Niger reiterated on Tuesday its support for Morocco's request to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). In a joint statement issued at the end of the 4th Morocco-Niger Joint Committee, held on Dec. 25-26 in Rabat and co-chaired by foreign minister Nasser Bourita and his Nigerien counterpart Ibrahim Yacoubou, the two parties underlined the importance of regional integration between Morocco and West African states, adding that the Nigerien side reiterated its support for Morocco's request to join ECOWAS. For its part, the Moroccan side welcomed the restoration of trust and stability in the Sahel region and in Niger, and welcomed the commitment of the President of the Republic of Niger Issoufou Mahamadou to peace and security which are essential to the promotion of any development policy, said the joint statement. Regarding the Sahara issue, the Nigerien side reiterated its support for the UN-led political solution process and encouraged any serious and credible initiative within this framework. Niger welcomed efforts made by Morocco for a settlement of this issue, it said. The Nigerien party also commended the continuous support by the Kingdom of Morocco for the socio-economic development efforts of brotherly and friendly countries in the continent and the will expressed by King Mohammed VI during his visits to several African countries to make South-South cooperation a top priority. The holding of the fourth Session of the Morocco-Niger Joint Committee coincides with the fiftieth anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic relations between the two countries.
