These talks, held at the headquarters of the Senegalese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focused on the excellent and special relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Senegal and ways to reinvigorate them, as well as on topics of common interest.

In a statement to the press after his talks on Friday in Dakar with the Minister of Foreign Affairs and Senegalese Abroad, Ms. Aïssata Tall Sall, Mr. Bourita said that Senegal enjoys a special place in the heart of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who conducted eight visits to this country since His accession to the Throne of His glorious ancestors.

Mr. Bourita stressed, moreover, that his visit is part of the uniqueness of bilateral relations between Morocco and Senegal and comes to reflect the ambition of the two Heads of State and the two peoples to ensure that the Moroccan-Senegalese relationship remains a relation of reference.

After emphasizing that Senegal is Morocco's first economic partner in Africa, the Minister highlighted the deep human ties that exist between the two brotherly countries.

He indicated, in this regard, that nearly 3,000 Senegalese students are studying in Morocco, while at least 400 Moroccans are studying medicine in Senegal out of a total of 1,500 Moroccan students in Senegal.

Highlighting the history and depth of excellent relations between the two countries, Mr. Bourita said that "each visit or meeting is an opportunity to deepen them further". He added that the discussions held with his Senegalese counterpart, "have shown us that we must reactivate the mechanism and integrate all actors of bilateral relations including the private sector on both sides."

Mr. Bourita added that "the Moroccan-Senegalese relations have always been presented as a model at the inter-African level, not only between the authorities and governments of the two countries, but a relationship led by two Heads of State who believe in this Africa without complex and taking charge," noting that "all stakeholders in the relationship are involved in this unique partnership" linking the two countries.

In addition, Mr. Bourita said that the regional and international context "requires the two countries to coordinate regularly", since Morocco and Senegal have the same vision in relation to the problems of the continent and the world.

The two countries have credibility on the international scene, said Mr. Bourita, adding that by working together, the two states can do many things.

Senegal through His Excellency President Macky Sall chairs the African Union, he recalled, stressing that "it is a pride for Africa that its path is carried by a wise, credible and effective diplomacy like that of Senegalese diplomacy."

The meeting was attended, on the Moroccan side, by the Ambassador of His Majesty the King in Senegal Mr. Hassan Naciri and the Ambassador-Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), Mr. Mohamed Methqal, and on the Senegalese side by Mr. Sylvain Sambou, Director of Africa and the African Union at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ambassador Maimouna Diop Sy, advisor to the Minister, and Ambassador Fatou Gaye, Director of Protocol in the Department.