EU to invest 1.6 billion euros in Morocco

Rabat, Feb 9 (EFE).- The President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and Moroccan Prime Minister Aziz Ajanuch on Wednesday announced that the European Union and the north African country would strengthen cooperation towards a green economic development as part of a wider drive to deepen bilateral ties between both parties.

“We are working to develop a green cooperation between Morocco and the EU. It is the first (project) that we have carried out with a partner country and that will allow us to jointly address the development of our green energy,” von der Leyen told reporters after a meeting with Ajanuch on her first official visit to Morocco.

In the joint session for Moroccan state media, von der Leyen added that high on the agenda was the consolidation of a broad digital cooperation that will benefit companies in both the EU and Morocco.

“The EU is investing €1.6 billion in Morocco. This is a great opportunity for the green and digital transition. I hope we will realize great projects together under #GlobalGateway, for the benefit of Moroccans,” von der Leyen tweeted after the meeting.

The EU official met with Ajanuch for an hour, as part of the bloc’s Global Gateway initiative, which seeks to build a prosperous and green future through investments and partnerships.

Von der Leyen emphasized the role of young people adding that development of education and culture would be key.

Prime Minister Ajanuch said his country was “a strategic partner of the European Union” and that both parties would work together “to strengthen this relationship”.

The President of the European Commission’s visit to Morocco lasted 24 hours. She left for Senegal Wednesday morning for a two-day visit ahead of the EU and the African Union summit which will take place on 17-18 February. EFE

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