2024-07-23 14:54:27
This meeting, attended by ten ministers from Western Mediterranean countries, was an opportunity to take stock of the cooperation activities carried out in 2023 and establish the action plan for 2024.
In a speech on this occasion, Mr. Loudiyi stressed that this meeting “constitutes an opportunity to continue dialogue, consultation and sharing of experiences and expertise around our common interests in security and defense, more particularly in the areas related to maritime surveillance and air security as well as the contribution of the armed forces to the management of emergency situations and major disasters.”
He welcomed the efforts undertaken by Portugal for the revision of the Declaration of Intent of the Ministers of Defence of the member countries of the “5+5 Defence” initiative, signed in Paris on 21 December 2004, noting that the signing of this declaration will allow the member countries to raise the level of cooperation in light of the current threats and challenges facing the region.
He added that the year 2023 has seen extreme events that have occurred in several regions of the world, including the Western Mediterranean, which was hit by storm Daniel, which caused significant damage in the city of Derna in Libya. “In this regard, we express our sincere condolences and compassion to the State of Libya and our deep sympathy to the brotherly Libyan people,” he said.
In the same vein, he continued, “we extend our sincere thanks to the member countries of the Initiative who expressed their solidarity with the Kingdom of Morocco following the powerful earthquake that struck the Al Haouz region.”
Regarding the Initiative’s action report, he welcomed the satisfactory results marked by the completion of around fifty activities scheduled for 2023, thanks to the commitment and contribution of all member countries and the excellent work accomplished by the Steering Committee, under the Portuguese presidency.
On the same note, Mr. Loudiyi welcomed the work accomplished by the Euro-Maghreb Center for Research and Strategic Studies (CEMRES) in the framework of research on the theme of security in the Western Mediterranean, stressing that “this study made it possible to identify the multitude of challenges facing our region and the potential to be mobilized by member countries to strengthen resilience to disasters and climate change and reduce risks linked to pandemic phenomena.”
On another level, he noted, the Kingdom of Morocco supports the projects of “Cyber Forum” and the “Virtual Regional Center for Maritime Traffic Control initiated by Italy, that of the Center for Coordination and Operational Planning initiated by France and the Training Center on Humanitarian Demining initiated by Libya.
Regarding migration issues and the fight against terrorism and organized crime, Mr. Loudiyi reaffirmed that the Kingdom of Morocco remains “ready for any form of bilateral and multilateral cooperation aimed at combating these scourges.”
In this regard, he advocated for a “global approach based on shared responsibility that addresses these risks firmly and effectively”, stressing the importance of seeking to deploy partnership strategies and planning realistic co-development programmes involving countries on both sides of the Western Mediterranean.
In this context, “the Kingdom of Morocco has constantly displayed, under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI, its full commitment and attachment to the various initiatives aimed at maintaining peace and security in the world,” he stressed, noting that “our synergy remains an essential asset to face the various challenges facing our space.”
Mr. Loudiyi also indicated that “the draft action plan for 2024 is rich and diversified thanks to the contribution of member countries, and covers 74 activities reflecting the determination and commitment of member countries to maintain the dynamism and vitality of our initiative.”
“Morocco will provide, in this regard, all the necessary support for the implementation of the activities planned for the year 2024,” he assured.
The rotating presidency of the “5+5 Defence” Initiative for 2024 will be held by Spain.
2024-07-23 14:54:27