HIBAPRESS – Rabat
The Moroccan Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Ahmed Bouari, and his Spanish counterpart, Luis Planas, affirmed on Thursday their determination to continue strengthening cooperation in the agricultural and food field.
Bouari and Planas said that they share a common interest in consolidating stable and beneficial relations for the two countries, noting the "good relations" that unite the two countries, which they described as a "strategic partnership."
The meeting between the two parties took place during the meeting of the Council of Members of the International Olive Council, held these days in the Spanish city of Cordoba, which also coincides with World Olive Tree Day.
During the meeting, the Moroccan and Spanish delegations highlighted the development of the volume of agricultural trade, which has tripled during the past decade, as well as the positive results of cooperation in the fields of plant and animal health.
The Spanish Minister of Agriculture said that "our joint work in monitoring animal and plant diseases, as well as in the exchange of information, always reflects a cooperative, proactive and transparent approach," explaining that Rabat and Madrid share challenges as they share solutions, "and for this we are fully committed to moving forward together," as he put it.
In this context, Morocco and Spain agreed that the integration of new areas of work, such as research in addressing climate change, efficient water management, precision agriculture, cooperation in the field of fisheries, and improving health monitoring and certification procedures, would enhance food security and support trade exchanges.
The meeting was an opportunity to prepare for the 13th session of the high-level meeting between Morocco and Spain, scheduled to be held at the beginning of December, during which the two countries are expected to sign two new memorandums of understanding; The first in the field of agricultural and food cooperation, and the second in the field of fisheries, aquaculture and the fight against illegal fishing.
