Morocco and EU strengthen strategic partnership for Sahel peace and security

On Friday in Rabat, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Living Abroad, Nasser Bourita, met with João Cravinho, the European Union (EU) Special Representative for the Sahel region.

Following the meeting, Cravinho told the press that the EU enjoys a «fruitful and very strong relationship» with Morocco, describing it as highly versatile and covering multiple areas. He emphasized that cooperation and dialogue with the Kingdom are a «top priority».

«The close ties Morocco maintains with the Sahel countries provide us with valuable insights, a deeper understanding, and opportunities to identify joint initiatives that benefit the people of the Sahel», Cravinho said.

He highlighted that the Sahel region is «fragile both in terms of security and socio-economic conditions — two closely linked challenges that require urgent attention». He added that both the EU and Morocco have a critical role to play in addressing these issues.

Cravinho also explained that his visit aims to explore ways to strengthen the EU-Morocco partnership regarding the Sahel, with the goal of advancing peace and security for the region’s populations.