Speaking during a joint press briefing with Martínez-Acha Vásquez following their meeting, Mr. Bourita underscored that this visit is set to bolster the momentum of bilateral diplomatic ties since Panama’s decision, on November 21, 2024, to withdraw its recognition of the so-called +sadr+.

It also follows on from the letter sent by HM King Mohammed VI to the President of the Republic of Panama, HEM. José Raul Mulino, in which the Sovereign welcomed this decision, while expressing the Kingdom's commitment to initiating a new stage in bilateral relations, the minister added.

This trip provided an opportunity to welcome Panama's position on the issue of the Kingdom's territorial integrity, he added, highlighting its importance as it emanates from a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, Mr. Bourita said. Panama has thus followed in the footsteps of the States that consider the Autonomy Plan to be the only basis for resolving this dispute, he said.

In this respect, he stated that the Republic of Panama’s position illustrates the constructive momentum on the national issue during the recent years, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, stressing that 70% of UN Security Council member states consider that it is high time that a solution to this dispute was found, within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty and on the basis of the Autonomy Plan presented by Morocco in 2007.

He highlighted that this visit is also a testament to the mutual will of initiating a new step in bilateral ties marked by bolstering sectorial cooperation and the legal framework, and by mobilizing all governmental and private sector actors to give substance to the ties between the two countries.

On the High Instructions of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and HEM. José Raul Mulino, it was agreed during the meeting today to promote bilateral ties in several fields, mainly tourism, food security, fertilizers and ports, the minister added.

The Panamanian Ministers of Agriculture and Trade are expected in the Kingdom in the coming weeks and months, with a view to boosting bilateral relations in their respective sectors, he said, noting that Moroccan and Panamanian businessmen will be involved in this momentum.

Mr. Bourita also said that it had been agreed to host a meeting of the Political Dialogue Commission to strengthen bilateral consultations on political and regional issues.

Morocco and Panama share a set of common values and principles, as well as similar positions on many foreign policy issues, he noted. In this context, emphasis has been placed on strengthening the legal framework governing their relations, he said, adding that three agreements have been signed to this end.

The first concerns a roadmap dedicated to sectoral cooperation, the second concerns the granting of visas for official passports, while the third concerns a joint declaration, he added, adding that memorandums on the entry into force of agreements on transport and sectoral cooperation were exchanged.

The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates noted that despite geographic distance, the two countries share many common aspects on which they need to collaborate in order to accelerate the bilateral dynamic.

Referring to the port sector, Mr. Bourita said that Morocco and Panama are both bordering two important passages for world trade, namely the Panama Canal and the Strait of Gibraltar, "which gives our two countries a shared vision and common interests."