EU, Morocco Sign Arrangement on Cooperation in Marine Research

Brussels – Morocco and the European Union (EU) on Tuesday signed an administrative arrangement on cooperation in marine research and innovation, within the framework of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.

Signed during a virtual ceremony by Minister Delegate in charge of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Driss Ouaouicha, and the European Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education and Youth, Maria Ivanova Gabriel, this arrangement will give new impetus to cooperation between Morocco and the EU in the areas of higher education, scientific research, technologies and marine innovation.

It will also strengthen the networking of scientific activities between Moroccan research structures and their counterparts in countries bordering the Atlantic Ocean, in order to take advantage of the opportunities offered by international cooperation in a transatlantic context.

Speaking at this virtual ceremony, which took place in the presence of the Moroccan Ambassador to the EU and NATO, Ahmed Rahhou, Mr. Ouaouicha said that “through this administrative arrangement and an increased cooperation with the European Union that is more structured, particularly in terms of scientific research, our ambition is to strengthen the capacities of Moroccan students and researchers in priority areas”.

“Our desire is to encourage joint research, in particular in the fields of climate change, biodiversity and food security”, he said, adding that “our commitment is to promote the role of Morocco and its universities as poles of regional excellence in the areas related to higher education and scientific research “.

For her part, Ms. Gabriel said that Morocco, given its strategic location on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, is an important partner in ocean science, insisting on the need to “work together to deepen our understanding of marine ecosystems and the link between the Atlantic Ocean and climate change”.

According to the European Commissioner, the administrative arrangement signed between Morocco and the EU will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the European Commission and the Kingdom of Morocco within the framework of the All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance.

The All-Atlantic Ocean Research Alliance is the result of science diplomacy efforts involving countries from both sides of the Atlantic Ocean which aims at enhancing marine research and innovation cooperation along and across the Atlantic Ocean, from the Arctic to Antarctica.