Morocco-Gabon Relations Have Accumulated Numerous Achievements Over Decades, Says Morocco…

In a press statement following his talks with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, in charge of Integration and the Diaspora of the Gabonese Republic Mrs. Marie Edith Tassyla-Ye-Doumbeneny, Mr. Bourita stressed the need to preserve these achievements in order to further consolidate bilateral relations, based on fruitful cooperation, solidarity, and mutual respect.

These bilateral relations are set to expand into new areas, in line with the priorities set by the President of the Gabonese Republic, Mr. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, within the framework of the national development plan he announced, particularly in infrastructure, mining, agriculture, information technologies, artificial intelligence, health, education, and maritime fisheries, he added.

The minister said that he discussed with his Gabonese counterpart the preparations for the joint commission, established as a central mechanism of bilateral action and a privileged framework for assessing and strengthening relations between the two countries. He noted that both parties agreed on the need to convene this commission in the coming weeks, which will provide an opportunity to sign a set of finalized agreements.

The two ministers also reviewed ways to activate sectoral visits and encourage ministers from both countries to inject new momentum and further enrich bilateral relations.

In this regard, Mr. Bourita announced Morocco's decision to increase the number of scholarships granted annually to Gabonese students from 150 to 180, covering both academic and vocational training, in order to meet the requirements of Gabon's development programs.

Regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue, Mr. Bourita expressed the Kingdom of Morocco's gratitude to the Gabonese Republic for its consistent positions in support of the Kingdom's territorial integrity, noting that Gabon has consistently and strongly supported the Moroccan nature of the Sahara as well as the autonomy initiative, within the framework of territorial unity and national sovereignty.

Both parties also stressed the need to strengthen coordination, both with regard to bilateral relations and regional and international issues. In this respect, Mr. Bourita recalled that Morocco and Gabon, members of the African Union's Peace and Security Council, will play a leading role in consultation and harmonization of positions on issues on the agenda of this important body of the continental organization.