On this occasion, the two ministers expressed the two countries' determination to further enhance their bilateral relations to encompass several areas of cooperation.

Mr. Nasser Bourita expressed his hope that the Memorandum of Cooperation for a Reinforced Partnership signed between Morocco and Japan, would be an opportunity to strengthen bilateral ties in a wide range of fields, including politics, security, economy, infrastructure, renewable energy and food security.

The Memorandum of Cooperation for Enhanced Partnership, signed by Mr. Nasser Bourita and Ms. Kamikawa, illustrates the quality and depth of relations between the two countries defines the main lines of future cooperation between Rabat and Tokyo.

The two countries reaffirm, in this document, their commitment to work together for the preservation of peace and international order, based on the principles and goals of the United Nations Charter, as well as on the principles of respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

Ms. Kamikawa stressed that Morocco and Japan enjoy historically friendly relations based on the friendship of the Imperial and Royal families.

On the Sahara issue, Japan welcomed the serious and credible Moroccan efforts within the framework of the autonomy initiative to settle the Moroccan Sahara issue.

Based on Japan's consistent position, Ms. Kamikawa referred to the Moroccan autonomy initiative presented on 11 April 2007 to the UN Secretary-General, underlining the serious and credible Moroccan efforts to move the process forward toward a resolution of the Moroccan Sahara issue.

Mr. Nasser Bourita, who is visiting Japan, welcomed Japan's position on the Moroccan Sahara.
She expressed her country's desire to further strengthen its relations with the Kingdom of Morocco as partners who have cooperated on economic and other fronts.