Hibapress
Morocco is a “leading” strategic partner for Italy and a pillar of reference for the African continent, underlined, Friday in Rabat, the Italian Minister of Agricultural, Food and Forestry Policies, Francesco Lollobrigida.
“Italy considers Morocco as a partner of choice, due to the depth of bilateral relations between the two countries,” Mr. Lollobrigida told the press following his bilateral meeting with the Minister of Agriculture , Maritime Fisheries, Rural Development and Water and Forests, Ahmed El Bouari, on the sidelines of the 12th ministerial meeting of the International Center for Advanced Mediterranean Agronomic Studies (CIHEAM).
He also highlighted the historical links between Italy and the Moroccan community residing on its territory, a dynamic and integrated diaspora which actively contributes to the development and economic diversity of Italy. Furthermore, the Italian minister indicated that this partnership is of growing importance in a context where Africa is working to strengthen its food self-sufficiency and increase the added value of its agricultural production.
Mr. Lollobrigida also raised the crucial issue of water resources management, noting that this is a central issue for Italy and for the entire Mediterranean region, faced with phenomena recurring droughts and a scarcity of water resources. In this wake, he expressed his country’s desire to collaborate with Moroccan experts in water management, reaffirming Italy’s commitment to innovative solutions and resilient and sustainable agricultural practices to overcome together shared environmental challenges.
During this meeting, the two ministers examined various common files and discussed major regional issues of shared interest linked to the Mediterranean area, with emphasis on cooperation in sustainable agriculture, food security and natural resource management. Organized under the theme “A Mediterranean approach to food sovereignty: concerns and impacts on sustainable agri-food systems”, this high-level ministerial meeting is part of the continuity of the political dialogues initiated by the center since its creation, placing agriculture and sustainable food at the heart of Mediterranean cooperation.
