Bern: Morocco has been recognized as a crucial partner for Switzerland on both the southern shore of the Mediterranean and the African continent, as stated by Ignazio Cassis, the Federal Councillor, Vice-President of the Swiss Confederation, and Head of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs. The declaration followed Cassis’s meeting with Nasser Bourita, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, during Bourita’s working visit to Switzerland.

According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, in a Joint Communication issued at the conclusion of their meeting, Cassis and Bourita expressed satisfaction with the progress made on several objectives outlined in the Joint Declaration signed in Bern in December 2021 and reaffirmed during Cassis’s visit to Rabat in June 2023. They reviewed the advancements in various significant areas such as trade and investment, climate and renewable energy, mutual legal assistance, training, and social insurance, demonstrating the strong ties between Switzerland and Morocco.

The two leaders also announced the upcoming launch of a Swiss economic cooperation program in Morocco, set to commence at the beginning of 2025. This initiative will be financed by the State Secretariat for Economic Affairs (SECO), further enhancing the collaborative efforts between the two nations.

As the 70th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Morocco nears-relations that were established following Morocco’s independence in 1956-both Cassis and Bourita reiterated their commitment to further strengthen their bilateral partnership. Under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has positioned itself as a key player and strategic partner for Switzerland, particularly concerning regional stability, economic development, and South-South cooperation.