Morocco is a bridge country between Europe and Africa, and Italy plays a fundamental role in this context, especially in terms of political, economic and development synergy. A partnership with strategic potential, as already confirmed by the statements of Minister Francesco Lollobrigida at the beginning of July: "Italy wants to work with Africa, to develop its potential and today all the projects put in place tend to develop this action." A concept reiterated by the Foreign Minister, Antonio Tajani, following the signing with his counterpart Nasser Bourita of the Action Plan for the implementation of the multidimensional strategic partnership between Morocco and Italy: "Morocco is a strategic partner of Italy for the security of the Mediterranean, with which it is essential to work for the stability and prosperity of the region".
Below we publish the interview released exclusively to AGRICOLAE by the Ambassador of Morocco Youssef BALLA:
- The water highway under construction confirms Morocco's innovative capacity to counter climate change and drought. From September, 400 million cubic meters will travel 66 km: can your country lead northwestern Africa towards greater water resource efficiency?
In a context of water scarcity, with North African countries consuming 70% of their renewable water resources, water resource management has always been a priority for Morocco, whose geographical location exposes it to the main risks of climate change that are already having an impact in different sectors, particularly the water sector.
Morocco can help other Maghreb countries manage water by sharing its experience and knowledge in this area. The country has succeeded in building an efficient water management model, unique in its kind and considered an example at the international level.
The country is following a proactive and ambitious long-term policy in terms of water resource management, thanks to the wise and far-sighted vision of the late Hassan II, which consisted of the construction of dams to store and conserve water resources during years of heavy rainfall, with the aim of using them in case of scarcity.
The accelerated growth of demand and the multiplicity of users (agriculture, drinking water, industry), on the one hand, and the reduction of per capita renewable water resources, on the other, require constant and in-depth reflection on effective and practical solutions.
Morocco has also implemented a policy of control and mobilization of water resources through the construction of large basins and the transfer of water.
The country has also introduced participatory water management, a challenge still to be won. Morocco has made undeniable progress in water sector management policy, particularly regarding the mobilization of surface water through large dams, irrigation (over 1.5 million hectares) and the provision of drinking water, widespread in urban areas and almost universal in rural areas.
Morocco currently has a large number of operational hydraulic structures, consisting of 145 large dams with a storage capacity of over 18.6 billion cubic meters and 130 small dams, to which 14 large dams are added capable of mobilizing a total of 3.2 billion cubic meters and 20 small dams currently under construction. Despite this, the challenges remain colossal.
- Agreements have been signed between Morocco and Britain and Morocco and Spain for the construction of tunnels to carry goods in near real-time from one continent to another. When were the agreements signed and what do they consist of?
The Gibraltar Intercontinental Tunnel is a project for a submarine railway tunnel between Europe and Africa, under the Strait of Gibraltar, which could connect Morocco and Spain.
The junction between these two countries would establish a direct link between two continents: Europe and Africa. In addition, it would provide a faster means of transport than ships and be cheaper than airplanes. In addition, it would strengthen the existing economic cooperation between Morocco and Spain. Among these, tourism and trade.
Finally, on a larger scale, it would encourage greater trade between Europe and Africa.
This project is under planning.
The World Bank, the European Investment Bank, Arab financing funds and the African Development Fund would like to contribute to the financing of the tunnel construction. Morocco and Spain have decided to create a consortium open to international donors.
In 2007, at the request of Morocco, the European Commission mentioned the tunnel as a possible development project under the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP). Since this program has a limited budget, the effective participation of the EU would require a financing agreement between Spain and the Union under the ERDF.
- Connecting Africa and Europe is a project that has been talked about for decades, but which could now be realized: how would economic and trade relations with the Old Continent change?
Economic and trade relations between Morocco and Europe have a long history and are diverse. They are based on bilateral and multilateral agreements aimed at strengthening the partnership between the two parties. Here are some key points of these relations:
Morocco was the first country in the southern Mediterranean to sign an association agreement with the European Union (EU) in 1996, which entered into force in 20001. The agreement provides for the creation of a free trade area for industrial products and reciprocal concessions for agricultural and fisheries products.
In 2008, Morocco obtained advanced status in its relations with the EU, which gives it a privileged framework for political, economic, social and cultural cooperation. This status aims to promote the gradual integration of Morocco into the EU's internal market and to deepen political dialogue on regional and international issues.
In 2013, Morocco and the EU launched negotiations for a comprehensive and deep free trade agreement (DCFTA), which would cover trade in goods, services, investment, intellectual property, public procurement, competition, sustainable development and origin rules. The aim is to create a common economic space between the two partners.
Morocco and the EU have also concluded other sectoral agreements, particularly in agriculture, fisheries, energy, environment, research, education, mobility, security and migration. These agreements strengthen cooperation and exchanges between the two parties in these strategic sectors.
The EU is Morocco's main trading partner and represents about 60% of its trade. Morocco's main exports to the EU are clothing, agricultural products, automotive components and phosphates. The main products imported from the EU are machinery, means of transport, chemicals and food.
The EU is also the main foreign investor in Morocco, with a stock of direct foreign investment (FDI) of €22 billion in 2019. The main investment sectors are manufacturing, financial services, energy and tourism.
The economic and trade relations between Morocco and Europe are therefore close and dynamic. They testify to the willingness of both parties to build a strategic partnership based on mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation.
- Can Italy represent the entry partner country into Europe, to constitute an economic, social and geopolitical synergy with Morocco and the whole African continent that has nothing to do with the dynamics of prevarication by some EU countries that we have witnessed in recent decades?
Italy can represent for Morocco a gateway to Europe, given the historical, cultural and economic ties existing between the two countries.
Italy and Morocco collaborate strategically in many sectors, including trade, investment, energy, agriculture, fisheries, migration, security and sustainable development. They also share a common vision on regional and international issues, in particular the stability of the Mediterranean and the Sahel, the fight against terrorism and extremism, and support for multilateralism.
Italy can therefore be a key ally for Morocco, which is seeking to strengthen its integration into the EU's internal market and to benefit from the opportunities offered by the comprehensive and deep free trade agreement (DCFTA) currently under negotiation. Italy can also be a privileged partner for Morocco in its development strategy for the African continent, where the two countries have convergent and complementary interests. Italy can offer its experience and support to Morocco in its infrastructure projects, electrification, agribusiness, vocational training and innovation in Africa.
Italy and Morocco therefore have a strong interest in accelerating the implementation of their multidimensional strategic partnership, which can be beneficial not only for the two countries, but also for Europe and Africa.
- Italy, the southernmost country in Europe, and Morocco, the northernmost country in Africa, are two bridge countries between two worlds that must now dialogue and work together?
Italy and Morocco have signed a multidimensional strategic action plan that covers a range of cooperation areas, such as political and diplomatic dialogue, security and justice, the economy, energy and sustainable development, culture, education, research, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, as well as migration and consular issues.
The Morocco-Italy Action Plan, recently signed on 5 July 2023 in Rome, is a document that aims to strengthen the multidimensional strategic partnership between the two countries.
It covers a range of areas of cooperation, such as political and diplomatic dialogue, security and justice, the economy, energy and sustainable development, culture, education, research, intercultural and inter-religious dialogue, as well as migration and consular issues. It also provides for the creation of a Partnership Council and thematic committees that will meet regularly to monitor and implement the agreed actions.
This action plan reflects the willingness of Morocco and Italy to consolidate their bilateral relations, based on mutual respect, dialogue and cooperation. It also reflects the shared views of the two countries on regional and international issues, in particular the stability of the Mediterranean and Sahel, the fight against terrorism and extremism, and support for multilateralism.
The Morocco-Italy Action Plan is therefore an ambitious and innovative tool that opens up new perspectives for partnership between the two countries. It is an example of successful South-South cooperation, of which not only Morocco and Italy, but also Europe and Africa, can benefit.
- Not only agri-food: Morocco is investing in technology as a hub for the production of electric cars for Europe. This growth will have to be accompanied by strengthened logistics, especially for ports and the related railway and road connections: what are the next investments you are targeting?
The Moroccan logistics sector has undergone significant changes in the last ten years, with a series of projects to upgrade infrastructure and bring services up to international standards in terms of competitiveness, quality and performance.
In the last ten years, the Moroccan logistics sector has undergone significant changes with a series of projects aimed at upgrading infrastructure and bringing services up to international standards in terms of competitiveness, quality and performance.
According to a review of infrastructure prepared by the World Bank and published in December 2019, the Kingdom has made significant progress in this sector:
Morocco has launched several infrastructure projects for the coming years. The government plans to launch several infrastructure projects to strengthen and maintain investment in this sector.
Extension of the road and motorway network: continuation of the operations provided for in the agreements for the upgrading of road infrastructure in cities.
Port infrastructure: launch of several large-scale port projects, in particular the port of Dakhla Atlantique, the completion of work on the port of Nador West and the project to extend the protection works of the port of Casablanca.
Railway connectivity: financing in 2022 of the preliminary technical studies and the release of the right-of-way necessary to ensure the railway connectivity of the port of Nador-West Med.
Water infrastructure: no less than 18 large dams are currently under construction. Next year, work should also begin on the construction of two large dams in the Tangier-Tétouan-Al Hoceima region.
Morocco has also established a sovereign investment fund, which allows investors to benefit from favorable financing for their projects. The fund's goal is to support the development of infrastructure, electrification, agri-industry, and vocational training.
- In a few days, on 30 July, Morocco celebrates "Throne Day", which this year marks the 24th anniversary of the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, what is the meaning?
The celebration of Throne Day perpetuates the immutable bonds of loyalty between the people and the Sovereign, the unity of the Moroccan state, embodies the founding spirit of the nation itself and the confidence in a future that meets the aspirations of the people for development and prosperity.
Under the impulse of King Mohammed VI, Morocco continues its sustained march towards the consolidation of democracy, the rule of law and public freedoms with the pursuit of the implementation of the main political reforms introduced by the 2011 Constitution, in particular the acceleration of advanced regionalization and administrative decentralization and the operability of the constitutional bodies of good governance, gender equality and youth empowerment. This process is continuously fuelled by new proactive and bold reforms to adapt to new challenges.
A modern and fast-growing country, a bridge between two continents, a gateway to Africa, a hub for economic, social and cultural exchanges. This is today Morocco, a reference point for stability, peace, security and progress for the whole Mediterranean area.
WE WROTE:
Partnership Italia-Marocco, firmato piano di cooperazione economica, energetica e sostenibile