During a joint press briefing with the Deputy Prime Minister and the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Bulgaria, Ms. Mariya Gabriel, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Mr. Nasser Bourita, said that Morocco considers Bulgaria, in accordance with the vision of HM King Mohammed VI, a key player in the stability of the Balkan region and the strengthening of relations between the Kingdom and the European Union (EU).

Mr. Nasser Bourita pointed out that Bulgaria top diplomat's visit was a success in terms of its timing, content and the decisions taken on this occasion, stressing that this visit will be a landmark moment in developing relations between the two countries at bilateral level or within the framework of relations with the EU.

Morocco sees Bulgaria, he added, as an influential member in the development of relations with the EU and neighboring countries, particularly those on the southern shore of the Mediterranean.

According to Mr. Nasser Bourita, this is an important event, as it is the first visit by a Bulgarian Foreign Minister to Morocco since a decade, and the first of its kind for the Bulgarian minister in Africa and the Arab world, underlining that "the choice of Morocco reflects the strength and importance of relations between the two countries."

Mr. Nasser Bourita also expressed his thanks to Bulgaria for "its constructive stance on the Moroccan Sahara issue and its positive reference" to the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a basis for resolving this regional dispute within the UN framework, stressing that "Bulgaria thus becomes the 15th European Union country to join this dynamic, which confirms the positive momentum that the issue of the Kingdom's territorial integrity is experiencing, in line with the High Guidance of HM King Mohammed VI.”

Mr. Nasser Bourita also recalled that the Kingdom and Bulgaria had signed two cooperation agreements in the fields of cinema, culture and youth, in addition to the Joint Declaration which confirms the new spirit that should mark bilateral relations, noting that this declaration includes the positions of both countries to develop these relations, as well as regional issues.

The Minister also said that talks with Ms. Mariya Gabriel had also focused on ways of strengthening relations in the consular field, noting that it had been agreed to set up a joint consular commission in the near future to deal with human exchanges and the fight against the mafias of human trafficking and illegal migration, two issues which Morocco treats with a high sense of responsibility.

For its part, the Republic of Bulgaria commended the far-reaching reforms undertaken by the Kingdom under the leadership of His Majesty the King, as well as the continued efforts made to ensure political, economic and social development.

In the Joint Declaration signed by the two countries, the Bulgarian Minister also welcomed the New Development Model adopted by Morocco.

Morocco highly appreciates the "constructive" position of the Republic of Bulgaria regarding the Moroccan Sahara issue. 

The Kingdom also welcomes Bulgaria's "positive signals" regarding the Moroccan autonomy initiative as a serious and credible basis for resolving the regional dispute around the Sahara.

Bulgaria has thus become the 15th EU country to join this dynamic, which confirms the positive momentum experienced by the kingdom’s territorial integrity issue, in accordance with the high guidelines of HM King Mohammed VI, the minister noted.

He also underlined that the new spirit which shall mark bilateral relations, adding that this Declaration comprises the positions of the two countries to promote their relations, while focusing on regional issues.