In a joint communiqué released at the end of their discussions, Mr. Bourita and Ms. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba commended the quality of the feelings of esteem and respect", which characterize these relations, marked by an important exchange of visits, in particular the visit of HM King Mohammed VI to Burkina Faso in March 2005.

While expressing their determination to strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation in various sectors of common interest, the two Ministers agreed to continue to explore new avenues of cooperation, particularly in the economic, scientific, technical and cultural fields, as well as cooperation in matters of security and the fight against terrorism and radicalism, for the mutual benefit of the two countries and peoples.

Mr. Bourita and Mrs. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba expressed their "deep concern over the rise of extremism and terrorism in Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, and reaffirmed their commitment to work together for peace and stability".

The two officials committed themselves, in this regard, to ensure better coordination of their actions and mutual support, in regional and international bodies, to fight against the scourges of extremism and terrorism and thus create favorable conditions for regional and international peace and security and the economic development of the African continent.

On this occasion, Mr. Bourita reiterated the position of the Kingdom of Morocco condemning the terrorist attacks perpetrated in Burkina Faso, which caused several victims and injuries, while expressing all the solidarity of the Kingdom with the people and the government of Burkina Faso and voicing condolences to the families of the victims.

The two Ministers called on the international community to strengthen its commitment to fight against terrorism.

Ms. Olivia Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba reiterated Burkina Faso's support for the territorial integrity and national unity of Morocco as well as for the Moroccan autonomy plan, "which constitutes the only credible and realistic solution" for the settlement of the dispute over the Sahara.

She noted that the Moroccan Initiative for Autonomy represents "a credible and serious way for the settlement of the conflict over the Sahara". The Burkinabe top diplomat also hailed the efforts of the United Nations as the exclusive framework for achieving a realistic, practical and lasting solution to the dispute over the Sahara.

In this regard, Ms. Olivia Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba expressed her country's support for the search for a lasting solution to this issue, which preserves the territorial integrity, unity and sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco, under the exclusive aegis of the United Nations and in compliance with decision 693 of the Summit of Heads of State and Government of the African Union of July 2018.

Mr. Bourita seized this opportunity to welcome Burkina Faso's participation in the Ministerial conference in support of the Autonomy Initiative under the sovereignty of Morocco organized virtually on January 15, 2021, at the invitation of the Kingdomof Morocco and the United States of America. Ms. Olivia Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba stressed that the Moroccan autonomy plan constitutes the only credible and realistic solutionfor the settlement of the dispute over the Sahara.

The Minister also commended the strengthening of relations of cooperation between the two countries and welcomed the opening by Burkina Faso of its Consulate General in Dakhla in October 2020 and the appointment of a Consul General.

On the economic level, both Ministers welcomed the creation of the Moroccan-Burkinabe Business Council as well as the great economic presence of Morocco in Burkina Faso, particularly in the banking, insurance, telecommunications, cement, electricity and the media sectors.

Noting that the level of trade between the two countries increased from 47 million USD in 2016 to 71 million in 2019, the two Ministers said that this level still remains below the potential offered by both sides and urged the economic operators and businessmen of the two countries to invest more in it.

On the other hand, Mr. Bourita and Ms. Ragnaghnewendé Rouamba welcomed the launch of the Monitoring Center of the Higher Communication Council (CSC) of Burkina Faso, on December 27, 2019, which is the result of a partnership aimed at strengthening relations of cooperation between the High Authority for Audiovisual Communication (HACA) and the CSC, following the agreement signed in Ouagadougou on July 9, 2019.

Mr. Bourita reaffirmed, on this occasion, the readiness of the Kingdom of Morocco to put the Moroccan experience at the disposal of the Burkinabe authorities, through exchanges of visits and the organization of training for Burkinabe executives.

In this regard, the Minister invited his Burkinabé counterpart to pay a working visit to Morocco, on a date to be decided by mutual agreement through diplomatic channels.