Held, Tuesday in Rabat, the second UK-Morocco Strategic Dialogue was attended by the UK Middle East Minister Andrew Murrison and Trade Policy Minister Conor Burns. Aimed at strengthening cooperation between the two countries, this year's session was also attended by Moroccan Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita and a Moroccan delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Mounia Boucetta, the British embassy in Rabat said in a statement sent to Yabiladi. During this event, the two parties discussed ways to «reinforce the growing importance of the UK-Morocco relationship» and their «political, economic, security and cultural relations», said the same source. This year's Strategic Dialogue proposed the creation of a joint taskforce to «explore how the UK and Morocco can increase investment» and signed a «Memorandum of Understanding to create the joint UK-Morocco High Commission on Education. The latter is expected to boost high education and scientific research links between the two countries by the end of 2023 and encouraging joint research projects. «This important meeting demonstrates the depth and breadth of the friendship between the UK and Morocco», said Minister of State for the Middle East and North Africa Andrew Murrison. «As we prepare to leave the European Union, it's vital we continue to work closely alongside our valued international partners», he added. The event was also an opportunity for Moroccan and British senior officials to study ways of strengthening trade and business opportunities. «As we prepare to take back control of our trade policy, it is more important than ever that we maintain and grow this important trade partnership as well as continuing to promote UK expertise in sectors like education around the world», Trade Policy Minister, Conor Burns said. For the record, Morocco will be represented, on January 20, at the Africa Investment Summit, expected to take place in London.
