Visa Exemption Pact Sealed Between Morocco and Azerbaijan

In a significant step towards fortifying amicable relations and promoting collaboration in the tourism sector, the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Azerbaijan have ratified a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders of both nations. This historic accord was formalized on Saturday in Banjul, Gambia, during the sidelines of the 15th Islamic Summit.

The agreement, emblematic of the burgeoning partnership between the two countries, was signed by Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and his Azerbaijani counterpart, Jeyhoun Bayramov. The ceremony unfolded against the backdrop of the ongoing Islamic Summit in Banjul, where leaders from across the Muslim world have convened.

The visa exemption pact is poised to streamline the entry process for Moroccan and Azerbaijani citizens possessing valid ordinary passports into each other's territories, exclusively for tourism purposes. This reciprocal arrangement underscores the shared commitment to fostering people-to-people ties and facilitating cultural exchange between the two nations.

Preceding the signing ceremony, the two foreign ministers engaged in a bilateral meeting, where they explored avenues for enhancing cooperation across various domains. Their discussions illuminated the mutual desire to elevate the bilateral relationship to new heights, leveraging the synergies between their respective nations.

Bourita's visit to the Gambian capital was punctuated by a series of high-level engagements with counterparts from Yemen, Niger, Brunei, Gabon, Mali, Gambia, Senegal, Mauritania, Turkey, Sudan, and Burkina Faso. These meetings served as platforms for bolstering bilateral ties and addressing matters of mutual interest, underscoring Morocco's steadfast commitment to fostering closer cooperation with its allies across the Islamic world.

As the 15th Islamic Summit draws to a close, the visa exemption agreement between Morocco and Azerbaijan stands as a testament to the enduring bonds of friendship and the shared aspiration to deepen ties, paving the way for enhanced collaboration and cultural exchange between the two nations.