Economy

Morocco and Germany Forge Strategic Energy Alliance

Saturday 29 June 2024 - 10:43

Both nations emphasize the importance of enhancing cooperation across various sectors, including security and energy.

In a groundbreaking move to bolster renewable energy efforts, Morocco and Germany have announced a strategic "energy alliance." This partnership, unveiled during a visit to Berlin by a Moroccan delegation led by Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita, signifies a major step forward in international energy collaboration.

The agreement, detailed by Reuters, aligns with Germany's ambitious plan to expand its reliance on hydrogen as a future energy source. This shift aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, particularly in heavily polluting industrial sectors. "Morocco has the best conditions for the energy transition and the production of green hydrogen," remarked Germany's Development Minister Svenja Schulze during the announcement in Berlin. Schulze, who signed the alliance declaration alongside Bourita, emphasized Germany’s intent to import hydrogen from Morocco.

At a press conference held today, Bourita expressed his satisfaction with the agreement, underscoring Germany’s role as a vital trade and economic partner to Morocco. "Germany has a very special position… as an economic partner, as a trade partner, but also, of course, as a political partner," Reuters quoted Morocco’s Foreign Minister.

Echoing Bourita’s sentiments, Schulze highlighted the mutual benefits of the partnership, noting that it would enable Morocco to advance its energy transition. In recent years, both countries have consistently demonstrated their commitment to enhancing cooperation in various sectors, especially renewable energies.

In July of last year, the German Foreign Office praised Morocco’s efforts in addressing climate change challenges and underscored the shared goals of both nations toward energy transition. The office noted that both countries had achieved significant results and anticipated a comprehensive dialogue in the following year.

Since 2021, Germany has frequently reaffirmed Morocco’s status as a strategic partner, particularly after a political crisis between the two nations. In May 2021, Morocco recalled its ambassador to Berlin for consultations in response to Germany’s opposition following the U.S. decision to recognize Morocco's sovereignty over the Sahara region.

However, following months of intensive political dialogue, Germany’s new government publicly supported Morocco’s Autonomy Plan as a credible and serious basis to resolve the Sahara dispute. This diplomatic breakthrough has paved the way for today's energy alliance, marking a new chapter in German-Moroccan relations.