Marrakech – HM King Mohammed VI has continuously called for the development approach to address Sahel issues, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, said Saturday in Marrakech.
Speaking at a joint press conference following the Ministerial Coordination Meeting on HM the King’s Initiative to Enhance Atlantic Ocean Access for Sahel Countries, Bourita underlined that the development approach has always been at the center of the initiatives and actions of HM the King in favor of the region’s countries, namely Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger, bilaterally or as a grouping.
The Sovereign has always taken particular interest in the region, he stressed, adding that HM the King has taken, since His accession to the Throne of His Glorious ancestors, important decisions in favor of these States, including exempting their products from customs duties upon entry into the Moroccan market or canceling their debts.
The minister considered that the military a
nd security approach to deal with the problems of Sahel countries is certainly important but remains insufficient, noting that development approaches offer solutions to the real problems of these States.
Bourita also underlined that the stability of the region’s countries shall emanate from their own will and not imposed from outside, pointing out that the Sahel has potential and human resources allowing it to develop a vision of its future.
Initiated by Bourita, this meeting was attended by Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe abroad, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, and Director General of Africa and African Integration at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chadians Abroad and International Cooperati
on, Abakar Kourma.
At the end of this coordination meeting, the Foreign Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad expressed the adherence of their countries to HM King Mohammed VI’s international initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States, which offers great opportunities for the economic transformation of the region as a whole.
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse