Speaking at a joint press conference following the Ministerial Coordination Meeting on HM the King's Initiative to Enhance Atlantic Ocean Access for Sahel Countries, Mr. Nasser Bourita pointed out that HM King Mohammed VI has continuously called for the development approach to address Sahel issues, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates.

 Mr. Nasser Bourita underlined that the development approach has always been at the center of the initiatives and actions of HM the King in favor of the region’s countries, namely Mali, Chad, Burkina Faso and Niger, bilaterally or as a grouping.

The Sovereign has always taken particular interest in the region, he stressed, adding that HM the King has taken, since His accession to the Throne of His Glorious ancestors, important decisions in favor of these States, including exempting their products from customs duties upon entry into the Moroccan market or canceling their debts.

The minister considered that the military and security approach to deal with the problems of Sahel countries is certainly important but remains insufficient, noting that development approaches offer solutions to the real problems of these States.

Mr. Nasser Bourita also underlined that the stability of the region’s countries shall emanate from their own will and not imposed from outside, pointing out that the Sahel has potential and human resources allowing it to develop a vision of its future.

Initiated by Mr. Nasser Bourita, this meeting was attended by Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe abroad, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, and Director General of Africa and African Integration at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chadians Abroad and International Cooperation, Abakar Kourma.

At the end of this coordination meeting, the Foreign Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad expressed the adherence of their countries to HM King Mohammed VI’s international initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States, which offers great opportunities for the economic transformation of the region as a whole.

On His part, the The Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Nigeriens Abroad, Mr. Bakary Yaou Sangaré, said that the Sahel has always been at the heart of Morocco's foreign policy, a "reliable partner" of the region's countries.

"For us, Morocco is a reliable partner which respects our dignity, our sovereignty and our independence," Mr. Sangaré underlined.

In this regard, the minister noted that Sahel countries "will do everything possible to benefit as much as possible" from this Royal Initiative which aims to give new impetus to the development of the region’s countries.

HM the King's Atlantic Initiative "will allow us not only to develop our infrastructure, but also to open up our countries internally and internationally", he pointed out.

This Initiative, which "comes at an opportune time", offers the possibility to the Sahel States to sell their products on the international market at a lower cost, said Sangaré, who, on this occasion, expressed his thanks to Morocco, “a friendly country not only to Niger, but also to the Sahel”.

Initiated by Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, this meeting was also attended by Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe abroad, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, and Director General of Africa and African Integration at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chadians Abroad and International Cooperation, Mr. Abakar Kourma.

Morocco has always been a "reliable partner with whom Mali can consider long-term projects", Malian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Abdoulaye Diop, said.

the head of Malian diplomacy deemed this project as "important" and “positive”, affirming that his country adheres to this initiative for several reasons.

“Mali has continuously been involved in all initiatives aimed at uniting our countries and creating the necessary conditions to promote prosperity for our populations,” he underlined.

Mali is a landlocked country, and therefore, "we welcome this initiative which contributes to promoting our potential and responds to the concerns and needs of our country", the Malian minister stressed.

Co-development and the promotion of partnerships is of paramount importance to ensure development and prosperity, he said, adding that “the Eldorado that we are looking for is here, in Africa”.

“If we manage to create prosperous economic conditions, we will have to fight less against the challenges inherent to immigration and terrorism,” Diop pointed out.

The Royal initiative is an important vector to provide an economic and even geopolitical response to the concerns inherent to peace and security, he said, underlining the need to respect the sovereignty of countries and the strategic choices of Mali and its partners.

Initiated by Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, African cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, this meeting was attended by Niger’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation, and Nigeriens Abroad, Bakary Yaou Sangaré, Burkina Faso’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation and Burkinabe abroad, Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, and Director General of Africa and African Integration at the Chadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Chadians Abroad and International Cooperation, Abakar Kourma.

At the end of this coordination meeting, the Foreign Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger and Chad expressed the adherence of their countries to HM King Mohammed VI’s international initiative to enable Atlantic Ocean access for Sahel States, which offers great opportunities for the economic transformation of the region as a whole.