"Morocco is not only a close neighbor, it is also a stable and reliable partner that acted quickly to contain the spread of the Covid-19 pandemic," said Olivér Várhelyi, European Commissioner for Neighborhood and enlargement.
"In this context and using the flexibility offered by existing budgetary rules, the Commission has decided to redirect 450 million euros of funds already allocated to Morocco to meet short-term emergency needs, as well as possible impacts on the Moroccan society and economy," said the European Commissioner in response to a question from a MEP on this support for the Kingdom.
The European official explained that the European Commission is showing solidarity with the rest of the world to fight the Covid-19 pandemic, because the battle to defeat the virus internally can only succeed if the virus is defeated worldwide.
A strong and comprehensive European response consists in nurturing the fundamental values of the EU, as well as the consolidation of its strategic interests, added Várhelyi.
He added that "this is particularly true when we speak of the European neighborhood where Morocco is a stable and reliable partner".