Belgium reinforces support for Morocco's autonomy initiative

Morocco is actively seeking to strengthen its partnership with Belgium, which currently ranks as one of its significant trade partners.

During his inaugural visit to Morocco as the Belgian Foreign Affairs Minister, Bernard Quintin expressed his country's unwavering support for Morocco's Autonomy Plan, deeming it a "serious and credible" political solution to the Sahara issue.

In a press conference held in Rabat alongside Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita, Quintin emphasized the importance of enhancing bilateral relations. He characterized Morocco's autonomy initiative as a foundational effort for a solution that is acceptable to all parties involved.

Quintin reiterated Belgium's commitment to the United Nations-led political process, which he described as the sole avenue for achieving a just, durable, and mutually beneficial resolution to the long-standing dispute. He underscored the significance of UN Security Council resolution 2703, which calls for the parties to pursue a realistic, pragmatic, sustainable, and compromise-based political solution.

The minister also highlighted the deepening ties between Belgium and Morocco, noting that these connections extend beyond trade and diplomacy to encompass humanitarian aspects as well. He pointed out that the Moroccan community in Belgium is approximately 800,000 strong, significantly contributing to the country’s diversity and multicultural landscape.

Bourita welcomed Quintin's visit, characterizing the bilateral relationship as robust and longstanding. He noted that next year marks nearly 150 years of cooperation and friendship between the two nations. Bourita also mentioned the increasing Belgian community in Morocco, which numbers around 5,000.

He called for a more profound economic partnership, drawing attention to the fact that Belgium is currently ranked beyond 40th among Morocco's trade partners, while Morocco holds a similar position for Belgium. "It is clear that we are not fully capitalizing on the opportunities that our bilateral cooperation and trade could offer," he remarked, emphasizing the potential for growth in their economic relationship.

As both nations look to the future, there is a shared commitment to further enhance their partnership, driven by a desire to deepen cooperation in various sectors and address areas needing improvement.