The ceremony was co-chaired by Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccans Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and his Zambian counterpart, Mr. Joseph Malanji.

Speaking at a joint press conference with Mr. Bourita at the end of the ceremony, Zambia's top diplomat stressed that the opening of a resident diplomatic mission in Morocco is intended to "create a concrete base for supporting our bilateral relations."

"My visit is aimed at enhancing the excellent bilateral relations that exist between our two countries," he said, stressing that the state of bilateral relations "has been demonstrated through the exchange of visits at all levels and the opening of Morocco’s Diplomatic Mission in Lusaka."

"The strong ties were given impetus by the State Visit to Zambia in February, 2017, by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, during which fruitful discussions were held," he added.

"During that State Visit, our two countries signed 19 agreements in areas of general cooperation, diplomatic consultations, economy, science, technology, culture, investment, industrial cooperation, agriculture, education, mining, air services, energy, insurance, finance, and tourism," recalled Mr. Joseph Malanji , welcoming "Morocco's constant support to the development of Zambia" through training of Zambian students under the Moroccan Government Scholarship Scheme.

"The areas of cooperation are too numerous to itemise at this meeting," added Malanji, who announced the inauguration, on October 27, of his country's consular representation in Laayoune.

For his part, Mr. Bourita said the opening of the embassy of the Republic of Zambia in Rabat "is an important moment for bilateral relations, which have undergone a radical change thanks to the new impetus given by the visit of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to Zambia."

Mr. Bourita also highlighted the "strong diplomatic cooperation" between the two countries, recalling, in this regard, that Zambia has always supported the position of Morocco on its Sahara both at the African Union and the United Nations.

"Solidarity is the main feature" of the two countries' relations, said Mr. Bourita, stressing that this solidarity was demonstrated through the dispatch of aid to Zambia, on Royal Instructions, as part of the fight against Covid-19.

"Zambia is one of the 22 countries which benefited from this royal solicitude in this difficult time," Mr. Bourita underscored.

"Today's inauguration will strengthen bilateral ties and create channels of communication in all areas," he concluded.