EU-Morocco Association Council: Press remarks by High Representative Kaja Kallas upon arrival
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Mr Bourita, dear Nasser, it is really a pleasure to welcome you here in Brussels.
The EU relationship with Morocco is important and necessary.
Morocco is one of the closest neighbors, and our cooperation has been steadily advancing over the years, including recently under the Pact for the Mediterranean.
Today's meeting is firstly about areas where we want to do more together, from judicial cooperation, where we would like to see progress in negotiations when it comes to Europol and Eurojust. Then on strengthening human rights, where Morocco has played an important role recently in the Human Rights Council. And, of course, security that is on everybody's mind, currently.
There is no such thing as regional security crisis today. I think this is all very much intertwined. For example, Russia is the primary challenge, but Russia's aggression is contagious, and Russian shadow fleet tankers operate in the Mediterranean, while Russian mercenaries operate in Africa.
The only way to limit aggression spreading is to support Ukraine and hinder the Russian aggressor. Ukraine needs the widest international support to end this war in the right way.
The crisis in Gaza is another example where broad international support is key to stability. I want to thank Morocco especially for hosting the 5th Meeting of the Global Alliance last year. This remains the strongest international forum pushing for the two-state solution. A two-state solution remains our ultimate goal.
We will also discuss Sahel. The security situation is deteriorating, and terrorist armed groups are on the offensive in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger. EU's disengagement in the Sahel is not an option, and we will be stepping up our dialogue this year, including via our EU Special Representative.
We also want to work with you, because Morocco has unique experience in combating terrorism, combating radicalisation in the region. It is in both of our interests to work as close as possible, as we both bear the negative consequences of further deterioration.
Dear Minister, dear Nasser, today's meeting also gives me the opportunity to formally present the new EU position on the Western Sahara. This shift reflects the UN Security Council resolution of last October, and it underlines the EU's continued support for the UN-led process to find a sustainable solution for Western Sahara question.
Let me thank you once again for being with us here today. Morocco is already an important partner for the European Union, and this 30th year of formal Association Agreement, it is time that we do much more together.
So, thank you for being here.
Link to the video: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/media/video/I-284174