Speaking at the Morocco-Belgium economic meeting held as part of the 3rd meeting of the High Joint Commission on Partnership, De Croo highlighted “the enormous potential for cooperation between the two countries, which express a growing mutual interest,” as evidenced by the intensity of exchanges between Moroccan and Belgian officials during this visit to Morocco.
In terms of cooperation potential, De Croo mentioned the importance of multidimensional cooperation, especially in culture, academia, and economics, emphasizing the friendly relations between Morocco and Belgium.
In this regard, he believed that the common challenges between Morocco and Belgium can be addressed under two conditions: firstly, working together, and secondly, stepping up cooperation towards more growth, innovation, and investment.
“The visit to Morocco is the beginning of something very promising and beautiful […] Together, we are strong. I am very optimistic about the future of cooperation between the two countries,” De Croo concluded.
For her part, the President of the Directorate Committee of the SPF Foreign Affairs, Théodora Gentzis, stated that “Belgium considers Morocco to be more than just an economic partner.”
“Morocco and Belgium are linked by countless human connections and strong political relations within a multidimensional partnership that we aim to further strengthen,” Gentzis said in her speech.
However, she believed that “the economic potential between the two countries has not yet been fully realized,” advocating for enhanced cooperation with Morocco in response to common challenges.
Furthermore, the official expressed being “impressed by the development that the Kingdom is undergoing, especially in terms of infrastructure, within the framework of reforms and projects carried out under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI.”
The meeting was attended by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch, the Minister of Industry and Trade, Riad Mezzour, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Leila Benali, the Minister Delegate in charge of Investment, Convergence, and Evaluation of Public Policies, Mohcine Jazouli, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Enterprises (CGEM), Chakib Alj, the Director General of the Moroccan Agency for Investment and Export Development (AMDIE), Ali Seddiki, the Moroccan Ambassador to Belgium, Mohamed Ameur, the Belgian Ambassador to Rabat, Véronique Petit, as well as several members of the Moroccan and Belgian business communities.
Arriving on Sunday evening in Rabat with a significant delegation composed of Belgian Ministers of Interior, Foreign Affairs, Justice, and Asylum and Migration, Mr. De Croo co-chaired with Mr. Akhannouch the 3rd meeting of the High Joint Commission on Morocco-Belgium Partnership, marked notably by the signing of two memorandums of understanding and a cooperation roadmap.
