Morocco inks cooperation deals with Niger


FE Team | Published: December 27, 2017 10:37:51 | Updated: December 30, 2017 17:23:23


Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita (Photo collected from internet)

Morocco and Niger signed 16 cooperation agreements to bolster bilateral ties, according to the Moroccan Foreign Ministry's website.

These agreements were signed on Tuesday during the 4th Morocco-Niger joint bilateral commission, which was co-chaired by the Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his Nigerien counterpart Ibrahim Yacoubou.

The agreements cover a variety of sectors, including economy, transport, health, justice, tourism and culture, reports Xinhua news agency.

Speaking during the joint meeting, Bourita praised the vitality and richness of the Moroccan-Nigerien partnership, underlining that the commission will give new impetus to bilateral ties.

He also stressed the key role played by Niger in preserving stability and security in the Sahel region, recalling the increasing security challenges in this African region.

Yacoubou commended Morocco's continued support and active solidarity with Niger, underlining that the two countries are working together to make their bilateral relations a model of partnership at the African level as part of South-South cooperation.

He also hailed Morocco's return to the African Union (AU), saying that the readmission is an additional asset for the pan-African organisation.

Niger's foreign minister also reiterated support to Morocco's request to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

Morocco, which holds the status of observer at ECOWAS, requested membership of the organisation in late February, a month after the kingdom rejoined the African Union.

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