Morocco and Senegal stress the need to maintain regular dialogue to further develop their bilateral relations

In a Joint Communiqué adopted at the conclusion of the work of the 15th Session of the Morocco–Senegal Joint Commission for Cooperation, co-chaired by the Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, and the Senegalese Prime Minister, Mr. Ousmane Sonko, both parties highlighted the climate of fraternity and mutual understanding that marked the work of this commission, which made it possible to conduct a comprehensive review of bilateral cooperation and identify new prospects for its strengthening.

Thus, at the economic and commercial levels, the two parties emphasized the decisive role of the Moroccan and Senegalese private sectors in the development and consolidation of economic and commercial relations between the two countries, as well as in promoting bilateral trade and encouraging new investments, within the framework of strengthening the historic strategic partnership linking Rabat and Dakar.

In this regard, they invited the private sector in both countries to actively contribute to energizing and strengthening economic exchanges and partnerships, as well as the Economic Impulse Group (GIE) to meet on a date to be agreed through diplomatic channels, with a view to injecting new momentum into bilateral cooperation in sectors of common interest.

With regard to cooperation in the field of infrastructure, both parties welcomed the major projects underway in Morocco and Senegal, and agreed to work together to promote the creation of synergies between the two countries.

In this perspective, they reiterated the importance of establishing a follow-up mechanism as well as operational, mutually beneficial cooperation between port infrastructures, particularly between Tanger-Med and the Autonomous Port of Dakar on the one hand, and between the New Port of Dakhla and those of Ndayane and Bargny on the other.

In the field of industry, they agreed on the development of actions aimed at encouraging investment and bilateral industrial partnership, through the integration of their respective value chains as well as the creation of close relations between sectors offering industrial complementarity and shared competitiveness.

Concerning the mining, energy and hydrocarbons sectors, the two parties welcomed the state of progress of the Africa Atlantic Gas Pipeline project, a symbol of South-South cooperation, while stressing that Senegal will play a key role in its first phase.

They also decided to strengthen the bilateral partnership in order to develop renewable energies, promote the implementation of electricity access projects, strengthen industrial capacities and promote the valorization and local transformation of mineral resources.

In the field of higher education, research and innovation, they welcomed the dynamism of cooperation structured both by bilateral agreements, institutional initiatives, and inter-university partnerships, and agreed in this regard to work towards its strengthening and diversification through various actions to be identified by mutual agreement.

At the consular level, the two parties welcomed the active role of their respective communities in fostering rapprochement and interaction between the two brotherly peoples and, in this respect, committed to continuing and increasing their efforts to facilitate the establishment, stay and socio-economic integration of their nationals, in accordance with the Establishment Convention signed in Dakar on March 27, 1964.

They also welcomed the signing, during this session, of a memorandum of understanding establishing a mechanism for consular consultations, and agreed to hold in Morocco, in 2026, on a date to be agreed by mutual consent, the first meeting of the bilateral joint consular commission.

In the field of sports, and in view of the Youth Olympic Games scheduled to be held in Dakar in 2026, both parties agreed to continue the ongoing partnership to ensure the success of this major event, which will take place for the first time on the African continent.

They also agreed to strengthen coordination and continue to support, in a concerted and mutual manner, their respective candidacies within regional and international bodies.

Regarding the Process of Atlantic African States and the significant opportunities for synergy and cooperation among the concerned states, they stressed the importance of coordination and consultation in order to make the African Atlantic space a zone of co-emergence, stability and shared development in strategic areas such as the environment, food security, health, energy, logistical interconnection, pooling of resources and exchange of experiences.

Concerning the Initiative of His Majesty King Mohammed VI aimed at facilitating access to the Atlantic for landlocked Sahel countries, both parties reaffirmed their willingness to continue consultations with all concerned states for its implementation within the framework of an inclusive and mutually beneficial partnership.

In other areas of cooperation, notably tourism, agriculture, ICTs, water resources, security and justice, maritime economy, transport and logistics, they reaffirmed their shared determination to strengthen their cooperative relations, in a spirit of consultation, solidarity, complementarity and mutual benefit.

In addition to a Minutes document, the session, which took place in an atmosphere of fraternity and cordiality, was crowned by the signing of 17 legal instruments.

On the sidelines of the session, the two Heads of Government presided over the Senegalese-Moroccan Economic Forum, which enabled the private sector of both countries to establish contacts and exchange views on investment opportunities on both sides, the Joint Communiqué notes, adding that the Senegalese Prime Minister also held a working meeting with officials of the OCP Group on prospects for cooperation in the field of phosphate exploitation, and met with Moroccan economic operators already established in Senegal.

At the conclusion of the 15th Session of the Morocco–Senegal Joint Commission for Cooperation, both parties welcomed the results of this important meeting, which enabled the examination and identification of various cooperation projects and actions to be carried out jointly, with a view to imparting new momentum to the strategic partnership between the two countries.

The Joint Communiqué states that the two parties agreed to organize the 16th Session of the Morocco–Senegal Joint Commission for Cooperation in Dakar, on a date to be set by mutual agreement through diplomatic channels.

Editorial team/le7tv