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Foreign Minister Baerbock to visit Morocco and Denmark
Foreign Minister Baerbock and her Moroccan counterpart Bourita, © Thomas Trutschel/photothek.de
Deepening bilateral cooperation is the focus of the Foreign Minister’s first official visits to Morocco and Denmark.
A new chapter in bilateral relations
For Germany and the European Union, Morocco is a key partner and also an important bridge to the Arab countries of north Africa and to the south of the African continent. Relations between Germany and Morocco are not just close between our governments but also between hundreds and thousands of people in our two countries.
After almost a year in which the Moroccan side did not reach out to Germany, Foreign Minister Baerbock and her Moroccan counterpart Bourita agreed in a video conference in February this year to re-launch the traditionally deep and broad-based relations between the two countries.
Now, five months later, Foreign Minister Baerbock is travelling to the capital Rabat for the first time to launch a comprehensive programme for increased cooperation together with the Moroccan Foreign Minister.
Increased cooperation in six fields
Germany and Morocco have agreed to deepen cooperation based on equality and mutual respect in all areas important for bilateral relations including security issues, energy and climate policy, development cooperation as well as cooperation in the economic sector and on cultural and education policy. When it comes to tackling the climate crisis and to tapping green hydrogen, existing cooperation structures are to be built upon, such as the Green Hydrogen Alliance set up in 2020 and the German-Moroccan energy partnership established in 2012.
This large number of cooperation structures is to be bolstered by ongoing multidimensional strategic dialogue. The Foreign Ministers of the two countries will meet every two years to this end.
After Morocco, the Minister’s next destination is Copenhagen, the Danish capital.
Forward-looking partnership with Denmark
Whether in the use of renewables, the digital transformation or an ambitious climate protection programme for Europe, Denmark is in many respects a pioneer. With offshore wind power being further developed, the North and Baltic Sea region will offer huge potential as a source of green electricity and green hydrogen. Tapping this potential together is not just a priority of Germany’s current Presidency of the Council of the Baltic Sea States but also a cornerstone of the first German-Danish Action Plan to be signed by the two Foreign Ministers in Copenhagen. Furthermore, Germany and Denmark are extending their cooperation in areas which will define the future such as (climate) diplomacy, the digital transformation and healthcare.
Key country in the Baltic security region
By deciding to overturn their opt-out from participating in the EU’s common security and defence policy, Denmark ushered in its very own watershed in security policy in June. This has made Denmark a key country in the new Baltic security region emerging as a result of Sweden and Finland’s upcoming accession to NATO. As a troop contributor to NATO’s Forward Presence in the Baltic region, Denmark is also making an important contribution to collective defence. Coordination on these issues will therefore play an important role in talks with Danish Foreign Minister Jeppe Kofod.