Building on the renewed momentum following the 15th EU-Morocco Association Council held on 29 January 2026, the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates Mr Nasser Bourita and the High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy and Vice-President of the European Commission Ms Kaja Kallas met on 16 April 2026 in Rabat.

During this visit, the High Representative and the Minister underlined the depth, dynamism and strategic importance of the EU-Morocco partnership. They highlighted the long-standing, rich, multidimensional and privileged nature of the partnership between the European Union and Morocco, forged over more than half a century of close cooperation and mutual trust, and reaffirmed their shared determination to further consolidate this strategic partnership of equals, built on enhanced cooperation and centred on a shared vision of the future.

The High Representative and the Minister reiterated their shared commitment to the full implementation of the EU–Morocco Association Agreement. They agreed to sustain the positive momentum in EU–Morocco relations, including through the timely finalisation of a Strategic and Comprehensive Partnership, which will elevate bilateral relations to the next level. In the meantime, they outlined a series of concrete steps to further deepen and structure the partnership, notably by holding the next session of political consultations in Rabat and a dialogue on security before the end of the year. They also agreed to relaunch the full cycle of institutional meetings under the Association Agreement, with a view to ensuring continuity, predictability and a structured framework for cooperation.

Based on their shared commitment to a rules-based international order, effective multilateralism, and respect for international law, the HRVP and the Minister agreed to deepen EU-Morocco cooperation within international and regional fora, notably by identifying a number of concrete joint initiatives to promote human rights, peace, international security, and stability. In the same vein, they also agreed to explore avenues for enhanced cooperation in crisis management and diplomatic training.

The High Representative and the Minister reaffirmed their commitment to the UN-led process on Western Sahara, in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025). The High Representative recalled the European Union’s position as set out on 29 January 2026  in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which expresses full support for the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy in facilitating and conducting negotiations, taking as a basis Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, with a view to achieving a just, lasting and mutually acceptable resolution of the dispute, consistent with the United Nations Charter, and welcomes any constructive suggestion by the parties in response to the Autonomy Proposal, and which calls upon the parties to engage in discussions without preconditions, taking as a basis Morocco’s Autonomy Proposal, with a view to achieving a final and mutually acceptable political solution that provides for the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara, recognises that genuine autonomy could represent a most feasible outcome and encourages the parties to submit ideas to support a final mutually acceptable solution. In this context, the EU welcomed Morocco’s willingness to engage in good faith with all parties concerned in order to clarify the arrangements under this autonomy plan and explain what shape autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty would take. The EU stands ready to assist in facilitating the consultations between the parties within the framework of the United Nations and to support the efforts of the Secretary-General’s Personal Envoy.