During the legislative session on Tuesday, the House of Councilors approved seven bills ratifying seven bilateral and multilateral international cooperation agreements.
Presenting these seven agreements adopted unanimously, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of African Cooperation and Moroccans residing abroad, Nasser Bourita, underlined that these agreements are part of the Royal High Directives calling for the diversification of partnerships and the expansion and the consolidation of existing relations between Morocco and several fraternal countries and friendly countries, thus strengthening the position of the Kingdom at the international and regional levels.
The minister underlined, in a speech read on his behalf by the minister responsible for relations with Parliament and government spokesperson, Mustapha Baitas, that these are two bilateral agreements and four regional conventions, two of which were adopted at African level and one at level at the Arab level, as well as an agreement in the multilateral framework.
On record, the ministers noted that the two bilateral agreements portent on the strengthening of cooperation with two countries do not have relations with the Royaume connaissent a dynamic and a qualitative development, the Saudi Arabia and Djibouti, and concerning the domain of transport (air and maritime navigation respectively), soulignant that these agreements represent « a new addition to the juridical arsenal encadrant the distinct relations of cooperation based on sincere fraternity, mutual appreciation and solidarity uniting the Royaume with two pays brothers “.
The agreement in the air transport sector, signed on 28 September 2022 in Montreal, between the Kingdoms of Morocco and Saudi Arabia, aims to strengthen and improve the air transport network between the two countries on the basis of fair competition, diversifying services and charging competitive prices to meet the needs of all travelers and carriers, he said.
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This agreement establishes the rights granted by the signatories to air transport establishments designated by each party and includes the right to transit through the territory of the other signatory party without having to land there, the right to stop even for non-commercial purposes such as the right to embark and disembark passengers, baggage, cargo and mail at specified points.
The Cooperation Agreement in the field of commercial shipping, signed on 14 November 2022 between the Kingdom and the Republic of Djibouti, aims, for its part, to organize and develop maritime transport between the two countries, accelerate and facilitate trade via sea and through ports, as well as strengthening cooperation in the fields of maritime training, port management, maritime safety and the fight against marine pollution.
Under this Agreement, a Joint Maritime Commission will be established, in order to facilitate consultations and discussions in the field of commercial shipping, make recommendations and ensure the resolution of disputes that may arise from the application of this Agreement.
Regarding the four regional conventions, the Minister noted that two of them concern the African continent, one adopted within the framework of the Arab League and another at the level of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC).
This is first and foremost the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the Organization of the African Union/African Union, signed in Accra, Ghana, on 25 October 1965, the minister explained, underlining that it is part of the “Convention completing the accession of Morocco to the agreements signed in the framework of the OAU/AU, after its return to its African institutional family”, adding that it aims to define specific procedures and standards for the work of the different bodies and centers of the AU.
He noted that the Kingdom’s accession to this convention constitutes “a necessary requirement upon its accession to be able to host on its territory the headquarters of any specialized agency of the AU or a meeting or summit relating to the pan-African institution.
Regarding the Regional Convention on the Status of the African Mineral Resources Development Centre, adopted on 31 January 2016 in Addis Ababa, Bourita noted that this status represents the legal framework for the creation of the African Mineral Resources Development Center as the specialized agency of the AU, responsible for the development of mineral resources on the African continent, noting that Morocco’s accession to this convention falls within the framework of the Kingdom’s efforts to support sustainable development, access to energy, development of resources and capacity building.
The minister underlined, in this regard, that Morocco’s ratification/accession to these two legal mechanisms adopted within the framework of the African Union will be accompanied by an interpretative declaration which will specify that “the ratification/accession of the Kingdom of Morocco cannot be understood or interpreted, in any way, as recognition by the Kingdom of Morocco of an act, fact or situation or entity not recognized by the Kingdom of Morocco which would undermine its territorial and national integrity.
It is also a third revised convention relating to the recognition of studies, certificates and diplomas of higher education in Arab countries, adopted on 2 February 2022, which establishes “the general conditions for the recognition of qualifications and diplomas of higher education, and urges States Parties to harmonize their national legislation with its provisions and to take the necessary measures for coordination at national, bilateral and multilateral levels”, underlined the minister, adding that the fourth convention concerns the statute of the Center for action of the OIC, adopted in Tashkent in October 2016, which aims to create a center for the development of practical projects and field strategies, support the principles and initiatives of Member States and ensure their support in the area of application of legal mechanisms relating to the field of labour, employment and social protection.
Regarding bill 59.22, it approves the agreement between the government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the International Center for the Development of Migration Policies, establishing a representation of this Center in the Kingdom of Morocco.
Under this agreement, the Center works to implement projects and programs in key areas of common interest, which concern, for example, the development and strengthening of the Kingdom’s capacities, and the support strategy and technical assistance necessary in this sector.
With MAP
2024-01-17 10:58:08
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