The publication of this annual report, by the services of the European Commission and the European External Action Service (EEAS), is part of the implementation of the agreement in the form of exchange of letters, amending Protocols 1 and 4 of the Association Agreement between Morocco and the EU, which entered into force on July 19, 2019, commonly known as ''Agricultural Agreement''.

As in previous years, the positive tone of the report, which details the various aspects of the benefits that this agreement brings to the population of the southern provinces of the Kingdom, reflects the quality of the Partnership between Morocco and the European Union, and attests to the satisfactory implementation of the Agricultural Agreement, including through the tools of dialogue and exchange of information existing between the two parties.

+Quantitative impact on socio-economic development

The report confirms the upward trends in 2021 in trade between the two parties, thanks to the Agreement and the tariff preferences enjoyed by Moroccan products, including those of the Southern Provinces, for export to the EU, making them more competitive and attractive.

Supported by figures, the document reaffirms the positive impact of the agreement on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions and their populations, in terms of economic growth, production and export of agricultural and fisheries products, job creation and investment.

Main conclusion: Thanks to their development, the Moroccan Sahara regions have now become a real hub of prosperity and investment in the framework of the win-win partnership with the European Union.

Overall, the document of about thirty pages highlights the significant progress made by the Kingdom for the development of its southern provinces, under the "development program 2016-2021", through the implementation of major projects and various public policies deployed in these regions. It confirms the impact of the measures deployed and their multiplier effects in terms of investments, improvement of working conditions, socio-economic integration of women, strong support to youth, or infrastructure development.

+Substantial efforts and colossal investments

Equally important: The report reflects a recognition by the Commission and the EEAS of the substantial efforts made by the Kingdom in its Southern Provinces, in terms of rationalized and sustainable use of natural resources (Dakhla Port project, desalination plant project, plan to combat desertification, ...). It also notes significant national investments in the renewable energy sector, electricity production in the region and the development of new industrial activities that create jobs.

In its comprehensive and inclusive approach, the report recalls that the various economic actors and representatives of civil society, including non-governmental organizations active in the field of human rights in these regions, have stressed the paramount importance of the Agreement, its satisfactory implementation and its beneficial impact on the socio-economic development of the Moroccan Sahara regions.

The agreement is implemented in a balanced way. The tools for its proper implementation are still in place and functioning properly. Information exchanges have been carried out regularly and in a spirit of cooperation. The exchange system provides, on a monthly basis, information on exports of products and is functioning properly and has not given rise to research difficulties, the report says.

According to them, there is a constructive dialogue and regular contacts between the European Commission and the Moroccan authorities to ensure the proper implementation of the agreement.

+Important achievements in the defense of human rights

Without evading any area, the European Executive and the EEAS highlight Morocco's important efforts and achievements in the defense of human rights at the national level, and its active role at the multilateral level, as evidenced by its election as a member of the Human Rights Council for the period 2023-2025. It recalls the regular dialogue between Morocco and the EU within the framework of the Subcommittee on Human Rights, Democratization and Governance and the important role played by the regional Human Rights Commissions in Dakhla and Laayoune, reiterated in the latest UN Security Council resolution.

Regarding the National Issue, the document recalls the EU's support for the UN-led process and the efforts of the new Personal Envoy of the UN Secretary General, Staffan de Mistura. It affirms the EU's commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and its readiness to contribute to it.

+Stinging reversal for Algeria

A new slap in the face by the European institutions to the propaganda of the adversaries on a so-called "plundering" of the resources of the Southern Provinces, the report confirms the importance of this Agreement for the Southern Provinces, and thus goes against the objective sought by the adversaries, aiming to deprive the populations of these regions of their right to development.

It represents a new setback inflicted by the European Commission and the EEAS to Algeria and the polisario, which keep multiplying unsuccessful maneuvers in order to question the legality of the Agreements between the EU and Morocco, covering the Southern Provinces. It comes, in fact, in the wake of the decision of the Administrative Court of London, rejecting their legal action against the Association Agreement between Morocco and the United Kingdom, which confirmed the validity of this Agreement that benefits the populations and development of all Moroccan regions.

No matter how much Algeria dislikes it, for which the report sounds like a rejection, this 2022 edition is further evidence of the continuity of trade relations between Morocco and the European Union, their stability, and the EU's continued commitment to its comprehensive, strategic, and long-standing partnership with Morocco.

In 2016, Morocco had launched, at the COP22 in Marrakech, the Initiative for the Adaptation of African Agriculture, bringing together 38 countries of the continent, recalled the same source, noting that the objective is to reduce the vulnerability of Africa and its agriculture to climate change.

The initiative makes South-South cooperation a key mechanism for its implementation, it said.

"This cooperation aims to transfer to African countries the successful agricultural development experiences in Morocco, in order to help achieve food security," said the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, during a panel that brought together a dozen heads of state around their vision of growth in agriculture, regional integration and public-private partnerships, according to the AfDB statement.

Another example highlighted by Akhannouch, the statement added, is the Green Morocco Plan. Launched 15 years ago, it has given a strong boost to the agricultural sector, with an investment of nearly $13 billion over the 2008-2020 period.

It has helped increase GDP in agriculture by more than 5.5% per year. More importantly, "the sector has become more resilient to climate change and drought events. The plan has led to the conclusion of 19 program-contracts between the State and agro-industrial professionals to develop the value chains of agricultural sectors," according to the same source.

The new strategy of Morocco called "Generation Green 2020-2030", highlighted the AfDB, offers a framework for more resilience of the food system.

"It is based on the priority of the human element and the sustainability of agricultural development," said Akhannouch. It is meant, on the one hand, to "develop an agricultural middle class, encourage entrepreneurship among young people and extend social security coverage to all farmers and agricultural workers"; and, on the other hand, to "consolidate the achievements of the Green Morocco Plan" and "double agricultural GDP and exports, while implementing new solutions for the rationalization of water resources in light of new climatic challenges”.

Led by the Head of Government, the Moroccan delegation to the Dakar 2 Summit is composed of Mohamed Sadiki, Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Nizar Baraka, Minister of Equipment and Water, Mostafa Terrab, CEO of the Office chérifien des phosphates, Chakib Alj, president of the Moroccan Employers' Association, Obaid Amrane, General Manager of the sovereign fund Ithmar Capital, as well as the Moroccan Ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri.

In an interview published Thursday on the website "Madar21", the MEP said that the achievement of progress in the Moroccan-European partnership is "still possible", expressing regret for the "incomprehensible" resolution recently adopted by the European Parliament which "turned its back on Morocco".

The Moroccan Parliament had announced on Monday its decision to reconsider its relations with the European Parliament by submitting them to a comprehensive reassessment, aiming to take firm and appropriate decisions, following the latest positions of the European Parliament towards Morocco.

"We need each other. The European Union has a reliable partner, which is the Kingdom of Morocco, and this partnership is a fundamental pillar of the Union's foreign policy in Africa," said Mariani. He added: "We must do everything to rebuild the relationship, which has been severely damaged”.

He recalled his speech before the European Parliament last week, in which he had pointed to the passivity of the EP in the face of the situation in Algeria, noting that "the European left has a complex towards the National Liberation Front and its heirs in Algiers”.

This left, he stressed, "will never attack Algeria and its authoritarian regime, which represents a model in terms of violations," noting that the support networks of the polisario are all from the European left.

The MEP spoke out against the attitude of the European Parliament that "has not undertaken any action to express its solidarity with the Hirak that has emerged in Algeria in 2019”.

He noted, in this context, that in view of the current situation related to the global energy crisis, "Brussels will not express any position against Algeria, insofar as the European Commission needs Algerian gas to ensure the success of its hostile strategy against Russia”.

Regarding relations between Rabat and Paris, the MEP, who criticized the policy of France in Africa in general, noted that the two countries share many topics of common interest, including consular agreements, control of migration flows and development of East Africa.

On the other hand, he noted that the "economic development dynamic launched by HM King Mohammed VI, and which is based on a stable and unified state, has borne fruit," stressing that Morocco is "the most developed country in the region”.

Auckland City FC arrived in Tangier on a flight from Spain where it had conducted a training camp in the suburbs of Barcelona to be ready for the Club World Cup.

The Auckland-based New Zealand football club will face Al Ahly (Egypt) on February 1 in the opening match of this international event on the pitch of the Tangier Grand Stadium.

Auckland City FC coach Albert Riera Vidal told the press that this participation in the Club World Cup in Morocco will bring a lot of happiness to many people in New Zealand, adding that everything here in Morocco is wonderful, especially the warm welcome.

He added that his team is ready after a preparation camp of about 10 days in Spain.

For his part, the captain of the team Auckland City FC said, that the players are ready and have prepared well in Barcelona, Spain, for this competition.

The opening game between Egypt's Al Ahly and Auckland City FC (February 1) will take place in Tangier. The winner of this match will face Seattle Sounders FC (USA) (February 4) in the 1st quarterfinal.

In addition, the winner of the 2nd quarter-final between Al Hilal SFC (Saudi Arabia), winner of the AFC Champions League, and Wydad Casablanca, winner of the CAF Champions League, will face the Brazilian club CR Flamengo, winner of the Copa Libertadores, (February 8) in Tangier.

For its part, the MASI.20, an index reflecting the performance of the 20 most liquid companies listed, lost 0.2% to 806.7 pts.

A total of 24,919,732 people have received the first dose of the COVID-19 vaccine, while the number of fully vaccinated people (1st and 2nd doses) has reached 23,420,920, the ministry pointed out in its daily COVID-19 bulletin, noting that 6,874,986 people have received the third dose of the vaccine, while 59,766 people have got the fourth shot.

According to the same source, the number of COVID-19 cases reported since the start of the outbreak of the virus rose to 1,272,217, while recoveries increased to 1,255,835, i.e. a recovery rate of 98.7%.

The new COVID-19 cases were recorded in the regions of Casablanca-Settat (04), Rabat-Salé-Kenitra (03), the Oriental (01), Souss-Massa (01) and Fez-Meknes (01).

As for coronavirus-related fatalities, their number remained at 16,296, with no case recorded in the last 24 hours.

The number of active cases stands at 86, with no severe or critical case reported in the past 24 hours, for a total of two cases.

OIMDU President Abdellah Khezraji stressed that this is an "irresponsible" drift on the part of some entities angered by the remarkable influence of the Kingdom at the regional and international levels.

"We do not accept this blatant interference in our country's affairs, a lack of respect for more than three and a half million Moroccans who actively contribute to the political, economic, cultural and sporting life of Europe."

This resolution comes at a time when the Kingdom has become not only a partner in the region, but an influential one in various fields, including the management of migratory flows, the promotion of peace and the fight against terrorism.

Following the recent positions of the EP, the Moroccan parliament announced last Monday its decision to reconsider its relations with the EP and subject them to a global reassessment in order to take appropriate decisions.

The Parliament said in a statement that the delegation, which participates in the proceedings of the Economic, Financial, Social Affairs and Education Committee of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, called for national legislation forming a legal framework for parliamentary action in the field of food security and self-sufficiency.

It also called on this occasion to strengthen parliamentary relations between the standing committees responsible for food security in legislative institutions in all States.

The Moroccan delegation, composed of members of both houses of parliament, added the statement, noted in this context the importance of consolidating North-South cooperation, according to a participatory approach to ensure food security.

The Moroccan MPs have also highlighted the distinguished position of the Kingdom in the field of food security, stressing that it is the result of national policies in this area and strategic guidelines adopted by Morocco, under the enlightened leadership of HM King Mohammed VI.

This meeting is part of the meetings of the Standing Committees of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, and contribute to enriching the debate and dialogue and make recommendations on several issues related to security, human rights, economy, finance, social affairs, culture, energy and environment, as well as women's rights in the countries around the Mediterranean.

The creation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Union for the Mediterranean, currently chaired by the Kingdom, in the person of the President of the House of Representatives, Rachid Talbi Alami, was proposed in a resolution of the European Parliament and approved at the Fifth Euro-Mediterranean Conference of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, held in Valencia in April 2002. Its inaugural session was held in Greece in March 2004.

The Summit, held from January 25 to 27, was marked with the participation of representatives of some twenty countries including the Kingdom of Morocco, represented by a strong delegation led by the Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch.

The event brought together governments, the private sector, multilateral organizations, NGOs and scientists to address the growing challenge of food security in Africa.

The Moroccan delegation to the Summit also included the Minister of Equipment and Water, Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Agriculture, Maritime Fishing, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Mohamed Sadiki, the Chairman and CEO of the OCP Group, Mustapha Terrab, the President of the General Confederation of Moroccan Businesses (CGEM), Chakib Alj, the Managing Director of the "Ithmar Capital" Fund, Obaid Amrane, and HM the King's ambassador to Senegal, Hassan Naciri.

The opening ceremony of this second edition of the Dakar Summit was chaired by the Senegalese Head of State, current chairman of the African Union (AU), Macky Sall, in the presence of the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Akinwumi Adesina and the Chairman of the African Union Commission, Moussa Faki Mahamat, several heads of state and government and representatives of international organizations.

The Moroccan minister presented, during a high-level discussion organized as part of Dakar 2 Summit, the Moroccan experience of development of agropoli, initiated under the Green Morocco Plan strategy and continued under the Génération Green 2020-2030 strategy.

Focusing on the creation of Special Agro-Industrial Processing Zones (SIPZs), the round-table discussion aims to present best practices in terms of operational models of SIPZs, to discuss the key elements for an optimal ecosystem and to draw lessons from the different experiences.

The creation of SIPZs responds to the need to increase investment in the intangible and physical infrastructure necessary for market access in order to concentrate investment in rural areas with high potential.

SIPZs aim to increase the efficiency and capacity of food production by adding value to agriculture, creating jobs through investment in agribusiness and promoting local, regional and international trade. They are expected to reduce food insecurity and reduce dependence on imported food and fertilizer in Africa.

Sadiki said that the State has planned the establishment of 7 agropoli at the main production basins, namely Meknes, the Oriental, Tadla, Souss, Haouz, Gharb and Loukkos.

The objective of these structuring projects is to strengthen the competitiveness of companies in the agri-food sector and increase investment in the sector, in order to provide an appropriate framework for the integration of the entire value chain of the agri-food sector and increase its productivity for the purposes of resilience and sustainability of the national food system.

These platforms will accelerate the development of downstream value chains and the valorization of agricultural products, which should increase the added value of production chains by an average of 3 to 5 times.

These projects of Public-Private Partnership present a complete offer of value integrating an agro-industrial park to accommodate the activities of transformation and support, logistic platforms and services, and this by putting at the disposal of the investors lots of land to realize their projects.

Sadiki is among the members of the delegation led by Head of Government Aziz Akhannouch who represented Morocco at the Dakar 2 Summit.