“Portugal welcomes the dynamics of openness, progress and modernity in Morocco, through the implementation of ambitious reforms of modernization carried out under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, including the new development model, advanced regionalization, the national strategy for sustainable development, as well as the new social solidarity project, among others,” said the Joint Statement issued at the end of the 14th High Level Meeting between Morocco and Portugal, held Friday in Lisbon.
Portugal also hails the sustained efforts made under the international leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI in favor of peace, inclusive growth and sustainable development in the African continent. The special role of His Majesty the King as Chairman of the Al Quds Committee was highlighted.
In the Joint Statement adopted at the end of the Moroccan-Portuguese High Level Meeting (HLM), chaired by the Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch and the Portuguese Prime Minister António Costa, Portugal considers Morocco as a credible and valued regional and international player, which plays a decisive role for stability, security and development in the Atlantic region, the Mediterranean, the Sahel-Saharan area and Africa.
Portugal also commended Morocco for its contribution to regional and international counter-terrorism efforts, including co-chairing the Global Counter-Terrorism Forum (GCTF) for three consecutive terms, as well as its co-chairing of the Africa Focus Group under the Global Counter Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS.
In addition, the Portuguese government welcomes Morocco’s leadership in making the African continent resilient to the effects of climate change.
In this regard, the Joint Statement stresses, both countries expressed their satisfaction with the efforts to operationalize the three African Climate Commissions following the First African Summit on Action for Continental Co-Emergence, held at the initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI on the sidelines of the COP22 held in Marrakech in 2016.
Morocco, for its part, recognizes the role of great importance of Portugal internationally, as a country open and dialoguing with different regions, mediator of peace and builder of bridges of understanding, especially in Africa, said the Statement.
