In a statement to the press following the talks, Mr. Bourita affirmed that Morocco and Italy share the will and commitment to strengthen their multidimensional partnership.

"This visit to Italy is part of His Majesty King Mohammed VI's policy to diversify and strengthen partnerships within Europe and the EU, and to consolidate ties with credible European powers," said Mr. Bourita.
Relations between Morocco and Italy are traditionally strong and based on fruitful cooperation in all fields, the Minister stressed.

The meeting with the Head of Italian Diplomacy was an opportunity to sign an Action Plan for the implementation of the multidimensional strategic partnership, to be signed in 2019, he said, adding that this action plan sets four priorities for Morocco-Italy relations over the next few years, namely strengthening political dialogue on regional issues in Africa, the Middle East and the Mediterranean, consolidating economic and cultural cooperation, reinforcing security coordination and creating a consultation mechanism on immigration and consular affairs.

Mr. Tajani will shortly be visiting Morocco to discuss concrete action on the four priorities set out in the action plan, said Mr. Bourita.

In the same vein, the Minister recalled that Italy, a key player in the Mediterranean, aspires to establish itself as an important player in Africa, noting that Morocco, thanks to the vision of His Majesty the King, is an influential player on the African continent.

"Italy is keen to work in Africa with Morocco, which it considers to be a key player in the Mediterranean region, thanks to its stability and the initiatives it is undertaking, on the instructions of His Majesty the King, in various fields," said the Moroccan top diplomat.

Describing the economic partnership between the two countries as promising, Mr. Bourita pointed out that Italy is one of Morocco's top ten trading partners, with 200 Italian companies operating in the Kingdom in a wide range of sectors.

"Today, we are working on setting up a Business Council to develop a shared vision between Morocco and Italy to work together in Africa and pool their efforts in this direction," he said.

Mr. Bourita also spoke of his meetings earlier in the day with the Speaker of the Italian Chamber of Deputies and the Chairman of the European Union Policy Committee in the Italian Senate, who, according to the Minister, expressed their willingness to work with Morocco and their desire for the Kingdom to be a principal partner" of Italy in the Mediterranean, North Africa and the continent in general.

According to the Minister, this is a strong signal from a European power, attesting to the Kingdom's credibility and "recognition of the role of Morocco and HM the King as a key player in its Arab, African and Mediterranean environment."

For his part, Mr. Tajani said that Morocco and Italy are determined to work together for a more stable Mediterranean region.

"The Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Italy, linked by good relations, wish to strengthen their cooperation for a more stable Mediterranean," he added.
 

Referring to the action plan for the implementation of the multidimensional strategic partnership signed today, Mr. Tajani stressed that this action plan should strengthen bilateral cooperation in a number of priority areas.

Morocco is a strategic partner of Italy for security in the Mediterranean region, with which it is essential to work for the stability and prosperity of the region, Mr. Tajani added, announcing a forthcoming visit to the Kingdom.

"Morocco is an essential country in our southern neighborhood, which can always count on Italy as a friendly country within the European Union," stressed the head of Italian diplomacy.

The Italian Deputy Prime Minister stressed his government's firm commitment to deepening bilateral relations through the full implementation of the ambitious action plan for the implementation of the multidimensional strategic partnership signed during Mr. Bourita's working visit to Italy, which "aims to deepen cooperation between the two countries in the political, economic and energy fields, as well as in the security, cultural, migration and consular fields."

During the visit, the two ministers agreed on "the need for a joint process that can effectively respond to the challenges that affect both countries."

The meeting, "which took place in a particularly positive climate for bilateral relations between the two countries," represents "a new stage in the Italian government's Mediterranean diplomatic strategy and provided an opportunity to explore the main issues of bilateral and regional cooperation," the Italian ministry added.

On the main regional and international issues, the common views between Rome and Rabat were confirmed, in particular with regard to the fight against terrorism, the stability and prosperity of Libya, the Middle East peace process and the stabilization of the Sahel.