The Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Federal Republic of Germany, Ms Annalena Baerbock, welcomed the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, Mr Nasser Bourita, in Berlin today to hold the inaugural session of the multidimensional Strategic Dialogue, as agreed in the German-Moroccan Joint Declaration of 25 August 2022.

The multidimensional Strategic Dialogue is held bi-annually, alternating between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Federal Republic of Germany and is chaired by the Ministers for Foreign Affairs of the two countries. It serves as a basis for moving forward in the framework of bilateral relations and strengthens coherence between the various areas of bilateral cooperation.

The Ministers highlighted the historic depth of the bilateral relations between Morocco and Germany and welcomed the meeting as opportunity to reiterate their strong commitment as well as to celebrate the joint achievements of the past two years.

They reaffirmed their shared interest in further implementing the Joint Declaration and in reinforcing the multifaceted partnership in all policy areas based on shared values, common interests and mutual respect. The Ministers placed particular emphasis on promoting regional and international peace and security as well as strengthening multilateral institutions.

Both sides reaffirmed the paramount importance of a rules-based international order and the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations. They expressed their condemnation of any violation of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations and the use of violence. In this context, the Ministers expressed their grave concern at the repercussions of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine of 24 February 2022 and the ongoing attacks, particularly on food security, energy, finance, the environment and nuclear security and safety. They renewed their commitment to address these global impacts and promote a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine.

With regard to issue of Western Sahara, the German Minister reiterated Germany’s longstanding support to the United Nations-led process for a just, pragmatic, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties.

Morocco and Germany agree upon the exclusivity of the UN in the political process and reaffirm their support for UN Security Council Resolution 2703, which noted the role and responsibilities of the parties in the search for a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable and compromise-based political solution.

Germany considers, in this respect, the autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a serious and credible effort by Morocco and as a good basis for a solution agreed upon between the parties.

Morocco and Germany reaffirm their active support for the efforts of the Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary-General, Mr. Staffan de Mistura, to advance the political process based on the relevant UN Security Council resolutions. They also reaffirm their support for MINURSO.

The Ministers expressed their shared concern about the ongoing conflict in Gaza with its dire consequences for the humanitarian situation and escalatory risks for regional security and stability. They agreed to continue their cooperation to bring about an immediate ceasefire and the release of all hostages and the exchange of Palestinian prisoners, to increase the flow of urgently needed humanitarian aid, to uphold international humanitarian law and to pave the way for a lasting peace based on the two-state solution with the aim that Israelis and Palestinians can live side by side in peace. Both ministers emphasized the need to support the Palestinian Authority to enable it to take up its responsibilities for a sustainable peace in Gaza and the West Bank.

Building upon the recent exchanges on senior official level, both Ministers reaffirmed their firm commitment to support an inclusive Libyan-led and Libyan-owned political process, facilitated by the United Nations, and supported by the international community, which will enable the holding of free, fair, transparent and inclusive national presidential and parliamentary elections across Libya as soon as possible.

The two Ministers reaffirmed the commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Sahel. Germany follows closely the initiatives launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI towards the African continent, including the one of 6 November 2023 towards the Sahel region.

In this regard, Germany welcomes the active and constructive role and contribution of Morocco, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to fostering peace and stability in the region and reaffirmed Germany’s view on Morocco as an essential partner of the European Union, NATO and Germany in Africa and a crucial link between North and South.

Morocco, in turn, expressed its strong commitment to the strategic partnership with the European Union and its wish to foster closer ties with Germany as an essential European partner.

The Ministers expressed their hope that an agreement on the Addendum to the EU-Morocco Joint Political Declaration of 2019 will be reached soon and lay the foundation for deeper EU-Morocco political exchange. They further agreed on the importance to continue to reform and to strengthen cooperation within the Union for the Mediterranean, fostering sustainable development, peace, security and stability in the Euro-Mediterranean region.

The Ministers welcomed the bilateral discussions on Feminist Foreign Policy that took place on 23 February 2024 in Berlin as a starting point for a productive partnership to promote peace, security and development by ensuring women’s rights, representation and resources.

The two Ministers agreed to strengthen cooperation and coordination within multilateral institutions, particularly at the United Nations, on issues of common interest.

They reaffirmed their commitment to working jointly to advance the international peace and security architecture, to promote the UN Security Council Agenda “Women, Peace and Security”, and all voluntary initiatives to combat weapons of mass destruction. The two Ministers welcomed the Summit of the Future as a critical milestone for the multilateral system and reaffirmed their commitment for an ambitious Pact for the Future.

Germany congratulated Morocco on its presidency of the UN Human Rights Council. Both Ministers agreed to strengthening their cooperation in this forum.

The Ministers welcomed the new impetus of cooperation in the security sector. They welcomed the joint declaration to resume cooperation in all areas of interior policy signed by the Ministers of the Interior on 31 October 2023. Both sides underlined their shared ambition to deepen the dialogue in confronting terrorism and other security challenges together, including within the Global Coalition against Daesh and the Global Counter Terrorism Forum.

They expressed their willingness to further strengthen bilateral military cooperation on the basis of mutual trust and respect.

Both sides emphasized their fruitful cooperation on climate policy, biodiversity, renewable energy and green hydrogen, which will be intensified on a strategic level based on the Alliance for Climate and Energy established today. They reaffirmed their will to advocate an ambitious international commitment to combat the effects of climate change, encourage actions in favor of the mitigation of these effects, and accelerate a just energy transition.

The Ministers agreed to reinforce the dialogue on international climate policy, particularly within the UNFCCC-Process and its implementation. Morocco’s accession to the Climate Club in August 2023 has strengthened this intergovernmental forum for exchange on industry decarbonization.

Germany considers the Moroccan supply of green hydrogen as a crucial step for the development of renewable energies and industrial decarbonization. The Ministers also agreed to continue their dialogue in preparation for COP29.

The two Ministers welcomed the success of the long-standing and well-structured development cooperation, as discussed in bilateral consultations and negotiations, between Morocco and Germany, notably in the two core areas of sustainable economic development, training and employment, as well as climate and energy, just transition including climate change mitigation and adaptation, renewable energy and energy efficiency, and water resources management.

They welcomed the success of Femmpact, a project promoting female entrepreneurship as an example of triangular cooperation between Germany, Morocco and West African countries.

Morocco commends Germany's continued support to Morocco’s reconstruction & recovery program for the Al-Haouz region which was severely affected by the earthquake of 8 September 2023.

Both Ministers reaffirmed their will to further expand bilateral economic and trade relations and encouraged economic actors in this regard. They underlined Morocco's significant investment potential, as expressed by the Moroccan Investment Charter and highlighted Morocco's membership in the G20 “Compact with Africa” initiative.

On this occasion, Germany welcomes the reforms carried out by Morocco, under the Leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for a more open and dynamic Moroccan society and economy.

In the field of migration cooperation, the Ministers expressed their support for the work of the bilateral Mixed Migration Working Group which held its inaugural session on 23 January 2024 and welcomed the regular meetings on working level. The ministers agreed that reducing irregular migration constitutes a common challenge and requires a comprehensive approach, ensuring international human rights standards. They agreed to continue to improve the mobility of professionals, legal migration, return, readmission and reintegration, including through the EU Talent Partnerships, the Rabat Process and the Global Compact for Migration.

The Ministers agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in the cultural and academic field and strengthen people to people relations.

They further agreed to promote cooperation in the field of sports. Germany congratulates Morocco on its successful bid to host the FIFA World Cup 2030 together with Portugal and Spain.

The Ministers agreed on the important role of civil society and in this regard, they confirmed their commitment regarding the status of German political foundations in Morocco. Furthermore, the Ministers agreed to continue to work towards an agreement between Morocco and Germany on abolishing the visa requirement for service passports.

In their concluding remarks, the two Ministers highlighted the amicable and constructive atmosphere of their exchange and agreed to continue the multidimensional Strategic Dialogue on the implementation of the Joint Declaration with regular consultations in order to strengthen the comprehensive partnership between Morocco and Germany.