In a Communiqué issued following the meeting in Helsinki between the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, and his Finnish counterpart, Ms. Elina Valtonen, Morocco and Finland stressed that their bilateral relations are excellent and beneficial for both countries, reaffirming their shared willingness to further strengthen and expand them.

The two parties expressed their resolve to strengthen economic and trade relations between their countries to reach their full potential.

Theys also convened to expand their annual political consultations to include economic and business interests. Thus, the two Ministers agreed to plan to hold a business seminar in 2025 to encourage cooperation between the economic actors of both countries.

Several key sectors offering mutual benefits were identified, including digitalization, particularly in terms of cybersecurity and the deployment of secure 5G networks, which has been defined as a priority.

Both countries underlined the importance of secure networks for national security and as a factor for investment decisions for developing trust based digital economy.

The Ministers also recalled the important agreed framework of their bilateral relations, including the two Memorandums of Understanding signed between Finland and Morocco in the fields of renewable energies and integrated water resources, welcoming the concrete steps for their continued implementation.

In the water sector, Finland is well positioned to offer expertise in water-related technologies and smart solutions, in line with Morocco's priorities. In this respect, the two Ministers agreed to encourage experts to explore new potential areas of common interest.

The two Ministers took note of both countries' ambitious renewable energy targets and identified solutions to support the green transition, including through green hydrogen, as a key area for future collaboration.

They also noted healthcare and well-being technologies as prominent areas of partnership especially in light of the current health sector reforms in Morocco.

Morocco's important role in the EU-Africa partnership as a whole, as well as in enhancing regional cooperation and stability in the region, fight against terrorism and cooperation on cross-border migration management, was recognized.

Morocco also expressed its appreciation for Finland's Africa Strategy, and its willingness to contribute to its implementation at the bilateral level as well as through tripartite cooperation with African countries.

The two countries pledged to uphold and further deepen their collaboration in multilateral fora such as the UN, notably within the UN Human Rights Council, which Morocco chairs for the year 2024, and of which Finland is vice-chair.

The meeting, which coincided with the 65th anniversary of Finnish-Moroccan diplomatic relations, enabled the two ministers to exchange views on a number of topical international and bilateral issues.

The Helsinki talks between the two Ministers mark a significant step forward in the strengthening of bilateral relations between Finland and Morocco, marked in the first half of this year by a visit to Rabat by the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, and sectoral ministerial meetings in the water and energy sectors.

Finland welcomed Morocco’s efforts through diverse initiatives launched under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, to further peace, stability and socio-economic development in Africa, in particular, the Royal Initiative to facilitate access for Sahel countries to the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the “Atlantic African States Process.”

Finland also highlighted Morocco's political stability, and welcomed the reforms carried out by the kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, for a more open and dynamic Moroccan society and economy, notably through the new development model and advanced regionalization.

This international recognition reinforces Morocco's position as a key player in the region, and highlights the enlightened vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to enshrine the Kingdom's central role at continental and international level.

In this regard, Finland recognized Morocco's key position as a gateway between Africa and Europe, its important role in the EU-Africa partnership at large, as well as its decisive contribution to the enhancement of regional cooperation and stability in the region, the fight against terrorism and cooperation on cross-border migration management.

On the Moroccan Sahara issue, Finland deems the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as "a good basis for a solution" to the regional dispute over the Moroccan Sahara.

“Finland considers the autonomy plan presented in 2007 as a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process and as a good basis for a solution agreed upon between the parties,” according to the communiqué, reiterating its support for the “political process aimed at reaching a just, lasting and mutually acceptable political solution".

Both ministers also expressed their common position on the exclusive role of the United Nations in the political process, reaffirming their support for the UN Security Council resolutions and the support of their respective countries for the efforts of the UN Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy, aimed at advancing this process.

Finland's new position is part of the momentum of international support for Morocco's sovereignty over its Sahara and the Autonomy Plan, under Moroccan sovereignty, supported by many countries, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, May God assist Him, in recent years.