This stance was expressed by Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, on a working visit to the Kingdom, in a Joint Declaration adopted at the end of his talks in Rabat with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita.

In the said Joint Declaration, Malta encourages all parties to demonstrate greater political will in favor of a definitive solution, and to re-engage in the UN's efforts in a spirit of realism and compromise.

The Maltese minister also reiterated his country's long-standing support for the UN-led process for a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution for the parties, the declaration said.

The two ministers agreed on the exclusivity of the UN in the political process and reaffirmed their support for UN Security Council Resolutions 2602 and 2654, which noted the role and responsibility of the parties in the search for a realistic, practical, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution.
 

Speaking at the 2023 edition of the Africa CEO Forum, Akhannouch gave a broad overview of Morocco's undeniable investments and efforts in the development of logistics infrastructures, pointing out that the Kingdom boasts the largest port in Africa and a large number of international airports.

He also highlighted the new Investment Charter and sectoral priorities, such as healthcare, automotive industry, agro-industry, fertilizers and aeronautics.

The Head of Government pointed out, however, that the value chain cannot be confined to a single country, but should be integrated regionally. "No country can do everything on its own, so we need complementarity, and Africa has that characteristic," he said.

Recalling the context of Covid-19, he pointed out that Morocco gives high priority to health sovereignty, in addition to industrial and agricultural sovereignty, recalling, in this respect, the Green Morocco Plan which has doubled the added value of agriculture, as well as the new "Generation Green" strategy.

Akhannouch also presented Morocco's progress in the field of green and renewable energies, thanks to a far-sighted Royal Vision, pointing out that the share of renewable energies in the energy mix has risen to almost 40pc today, and the ambition is to reach 52pc in a few years' time.

Morocco, which is also particularly interested in green hydrogen, is in the process of preparing a bid for investors, which will certainly be ready before the end of this year, he added, recalling at the same time the Nigeria-Morocco Gas Pipeline and its importance in terms of resource diversification.

With regard to the public/private relationship, Akhannouch explained that Morocco's ambition is to increase the private sector's share of investment to 2/3, compared with 1/3 for the State.

He also stressed the importance of increasing trade between the continent's countries, through taking advantage of the opportunities available, pointing out that Africa is a continent that complements itself through its natural resources.
 

In a joint declaration issued at the end of talks held in Rabat on Monday between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Maltese Minister of Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, the two parties also called for the opportunities offered by new value chains to be seized.

The two ministers also praised the excellent relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Malta, while reiterating their common desire to further strengthen them.

In this context, the two parties agreed to hold the 2nd session of the Moroccan-Maltese Joint Commission in Valletta, an occasion to give a strong impetus to bilateral relations, through the exploration of new avenues of cooperation, especially since both countries are a gateway to the African and the European continents respectively.

Morocco and Malta also reaffirmed the centrality of the historical and privileged partnership between the Kingdom of Morocco and the European Union (EU), and stressed the importance of this strategic partnership.

In this respect, Malta reiterated its commitment to contribute to the preservation and strengthening of this Morocco-EU strategic partnership at all levels.

In this declaration, the Republic of Malta appreciates the fact that the "Kingdom of Morocco has strived to be an agent for peace and understanding among nations and has fostered excellent relations with the EU". Both countries look forward to enhancing these relations further, the same source stressed.

Regarding the issue of migration, Morocco and Malta expressed their determination to strengthen their cooperation in the fight against illegal migration and human trafficking.

Both sides agreed to efficiently address the migration pressure as a common challenge and a shared responsibility, and to further enhance cooperation in the area of return and readmission.

In this context, Malta recognizes Morocco's efforts in the fight against illegal migration and its chairmanship in 2023 of the Rabat Process.

This appreciation was expressed in a joint declaration issued at the end of talks held in Rabat on Monday between Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and the Maltese Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg.

The Maltese FM also stressed that these reforms make Morocco "a credible reference partner and a pole of stability in the region".

Through this declaration, the Republic of Malta praises Morocco's role as an actor for peace and understanding among nations.

On this occasion, the two countries also reaffirmed their commitment to deepen their economic and trade cooperation, particularly in the field of renewable energy, while calling for the opportunities offered by new value chains to be seized.

The two ministers praised the excellent relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Malta, while reiterating their common desire to further strengthen them.
 

Morocco takes part in this annual Forum with a large delegation led by Head of Government, Aziz Akhannouch, and including Minister Delegate for Investment, Convergence and the Evaluation of Public Policies, Mohcine Jazouli, president of the Moroccan Employers' Association (CGEM), Chakib Alj, and chairman of the National Museums Foundation, Mehdi Qotbi.

This Africa's largest annual private sector event (June 5-6) brings together over 1,800 African and international business leaders and public decision-makers, with the aim of meeting the ambitious challenge of transforming the crisis into opportunities, rapidly and sustainably.

On her departure from Marrakech-Menara international airport, Jill Biden reviewed a detachment of the Auxiliary Forces who made the honors, before being greeted by Karim Kassi-Lahlou, Wali of the Marrakech-Safi region, governor of the Marrakech prefecture, Fatima Ezzahra El Mansouri, president of the Marrakech Communal Council, Samir Koudar, president of the Regional Council and Puneet Talwar, US Ambassador to Morocco and his spouse Sattar Sarash.

The visit to Morocco by Jill Biden, accompanied by her daughter Ashley Biden and her sister Bobby Jacobs, was a further opportunity to highlight the age-old relations of partnership and friendship that have always existed between the Kingdom and the United States of America.

"Under His Majesty King Mohammed the Sixth's leadership, Morocco is encouraging reforms to empower women and youth, reflecting our shared priorities", said the First Lady of the United States in a speech in Marrakech on Sunday.

The United States is grateful for its "longstanding partnership and friendship with Morocco", she pointed out.

Following her visit to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an opportunity to discover and appreciate this architectural jewel steeped in history, located in the heart of Marrakech's ancient Medina, the US First Lady visited the Ennakhil Association for Women and Children (AEFE) on Sunday, to learn more about the Association's programs to provide assistance to women and girls in difficult circumstances.

During her stay in Marrakech, Jill Biden also visited the Ibn Al Arif high school, which benefited from the "Secondary Education" project under the "Compact II" cooperation program between the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Government of the United States, represented by the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC), and implemented by the Millennium Challenge Account-Morocco (MCA-Morocco).

At the beginning of its proceedings, the Council will examine a draft law on alternative sentencing, according to a statement by the Head of Government's department.

It will also examine two draft decrees, the first setting out certain provisions of the law relating to tourist establishments and other forms of tourist accommodation, and the second applying the provisions of the law relating to copyright and neighboring rights with regard to the right of follow-up, added the same source.

The Council will conclude its work by examining proposals for appointments to high office, in accordance with the provisions of article 92 of the Constitution, the statement concluded.

During this meeting, held in the presence of the Kingdom's ambassador in Rome, Youssef Balla, and PAM secretary general Sergio Piazzi, Mayara highlighted the current issues to which PAM attaches great importance, notably the fight against transnational organized crime and the energy transition.

"The Mediterranean Parliament has always devoted particular attention to preventing and combating terrorism and transnational organized crime, a priority challenge for the Assembly," stressed the Moroccan official, unanimously elected as the new president of this international parliamentary organization for the period 2023-2024, at the end of its 17th plenary session, held recently at the Kingdom's parliament.

In this regard, Mayara welcomed the inauguration in San Marino of the International Research Center, which has welcomed over 20 researchers since its opening in December 2022, while highlighting the participation this year of Palestinian and Israeli students in favor of close collaboration with PAM on peace and security issues.

For their part, the Captains Regent of San Marino, in a joint address, stressed the importance of building a network of constant dialogue that supports parliamentary diplomacy as an instrument for promoting peace, stability and dialogue in the Mediterranean basin.

Tonnini and Scarano praised PAM's efforts in a "regional context marked by a number of political challenges", stressing the need to "maintain an ongoing exchange on migration policies and the fight against human trafficking, terrorism and organized crime.

Non-agricultural activities showed an increase of 3%, while those in the agricultural sector fell by 12.9%, according to the HCP, which has published an information note on the provisional national accounts for 2022.

Driven by external demand, this growth was achieved against a backdrop of rising inflation and a worsening financing requirement for the national economy, noted the same source.

In detail, value added in the primary sector contracted by 12.7% in volume terms, following a 19% increase the previous year, according to the HCP. This is due to a 12.9% drop in value added in agriculture, instead of a 19.5% rise, and a 9.7% decrease in value added in fishing, instead of a 9.9% rise in 2021.

Meanwhile, value added in the secondary sector slowed from 7.1% in the previous year to 1.7% in 2022.

The late Moatassim died in Rabat from an illness.