Strengthening Bilateral Ties between Morocco and Iraq

Sunday 09 February 2025 - 09:26

The relationship between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Iraq is deeply rooted and distinguished, according to Nasser Bourita, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Abroad, during a press briefing in Rabat. The Minister emphasized the long-standing ties between the two countries, built on genuine brotherhood, solidarity, and cooperation, noting the ongoing strength of their partnership.

Bourita highlighted the significant progress in bilateral cooperation in recent years, particularly through the establishment of political dialogue mechanisms. He shared that his meeting with Iraq's Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Fuad Hussein, led to an agreement on holding the next Joint Commission meeting in Iraq before the end of the year. This meeting will be co-chaired by the foreign ministers of both nations, marking a shift from previous meetings that were led by other government departments. This change aims to provide a broader, more comprehensive approach to the bilateral relationship.

The focus of the upcoming meeting will be on economic cooperation, with a goal to invigorate the relationship and maximize opportunities for businesspeople in both countries. Bourita suggested that Iraq could serve as a gateway for Moroccan businesses in the region, while Morocco can play a crucial role for Iraqi businesses looking to expand into West and Central Africa. As part of this, a Moroccan-Iraqi economic forum is planned to facilitate the exploration of cooperation opportunities.

The two sides have also strengthened mobility between Morocco and Iraq through visa facilitation, and are exploring other avenues for increasing interaction, including the potential establishment of direct flights to improve exchanges between the two countries and their private sectors.

In addition, Bourita emphasized the importance of increasing ministerial visits to explore sector-specific cooperation in key areas such as food security, tourism, energy, and others. He further stated that a stable and active Iraq is crucial for the Arab world, especially in light of Iraq's central role in Arab affairs. The upcoming Arab summit, scheduled to take place in Iraq, is expected to highlight Iraq's diplomatic significance on regional issues.

Finally, Bourita commended Iraq's progress in stability, development, and infrastructure, underscoring the significance of the visit of Iraq’s top diplomat to Morocco.