Akhannouch, who co-chaired in Rabat the eighth session of the Moroccan-Mauritanian high joint commission with the Mauritanian Prime Minister, Mohamed Ould Bilal, stressed that a strong involvement of economic operators of both countries will allow the implementation of joint investment projects that benefit the two sides as well as the establishment of productive projects and strategic partnerships that can serve as a model of South-South cooperation.
Akhannouch underlined that Morocco and Mauritania have succeeded, in recent years, to establish a legal framework, dense and diversified, for bilateral cooperation in many areas, welcoming, in this regard, the dynamism of relations of cooperation between the two countries which was reflected in the acceleration of the pace of exchange of visits and expertise, as well as conventions, memoranda of understanding and executive programs that will be signed during this session.
He noted that the 8th session of the Moroccan-Mauritanian high joint commission is "an opportunity to review and assess our cooperation in various areas, including political, economic, cultural and social sectors" and is also an opportunity to conduct, together, a reflection on the means to establish an effective partnership in order to take advantage of the economic potential of both countries.
This meeting will be "a new milestone in the distinguished process of our bilateral relations", he said, welcoming, on this occasion, the positive dynamics that these relations are experiencing and the constant wish to strengthen and develop them in the interests of the two countries and the two peoples, under the enlightened leadership of the Heads of State of the two countries, HM King Mohammed VI and His Excellency President Mohamed Ould Cheikh El Ghazouani.
The head of Government also highlighted the density of ties binding the two countries on the spiritual and cultural levels, due, in particular, to common religious constants, represented by the Maliki rite, the Achaârite doctrine, Sufism and Sufi brotherhoods (Tijaniya, Kadiriyah and Chadiliya), adding that the Islamic Republic of Mauritania is among the first African countries whose students benefit from scholarships and pedagogical seats places at various universities and higher institutes of the Kingdom.
Moreover, he pointed out that this meeting takes place amid profound regional changes, major international mutations and security challenges that, actually, face the countries of the region, which requires an intensification of security coordination between the two countries and cooperation in all areas related to development, in order to cope with the risks that threaten the region's security, including illegal immigration, human and drugs trafficking and terrorism, while giving priority to a holistic approach taking into account the security and social dimensions.
In addition, Akhannouch reiterated the willingness of the Kingdom of Morocco to provide financial and logistical support to relevant regional organizations, including the Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) and the G5 Sahel group.
He added that, at the continental level, Morocco, upon the high orientations of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, stresses the importance of completing the institutional reform of the African Union and strengthening its economic development policy, in order to promote balanced relations, based on cooperation and solidarity in the face of challenges.
"The collective and sincere will of our two countries will allow us to win the bet, to meet the challenges and to achieve the objective of boosting the level of our distinguished relations in various fields", Akhannouch concluded.