During their discussions, Mr. Bourita and Mr. Mkaka highlighted the strong and dynamic relations between Morocco and Malawi. They reaffirmed their firm determination to give a new impetus and diversify fields of bilateral cooperation, pursuant to the High Directives of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and His Brother President Lazarus Chakwera.

This meeting was an opportunity to review the entire spectrum of bilateral relations in different sectors. The two sides expressed satisfaction regarding the steady pace of mutually beneficial cooperation and agreed that there was potential for deeper and wider collaboration in many fields such as security, agriculture, renewable energy, health, education, vocational training, mining, energy and decentralized cooperation.

The Ministers also had an in-depth exchange of views on regional and international issues of common interest and welcomed the convergence of their viewpoints regarding the raised questions. They agreed that the strengthening of the Moroccan-Malawian ties will serve the shared interests of the peoples of the two countries and will contribute to the promotion of regional and continental peace, stability and prosperity.

Addressing peace and security issues, both Ministers noted with concern the persistence of many tension hotbeds and terrorist threats, which remains one of the most important sources of instability in the African Continent. They reaffirmed their commitment to work jointly along other relevant parties to advance the resolution of conflicts in Africa through dialogue and in accordance with international law.

Regarding the Sahara issue, Mr. Mkaka reiterated the unwavering and continued support of his country vis-à-vis the territorial integrity of the Kingdom and lauded the efforts undertaken by Morocco to reach a political solution for this regional dispute.

Furthermore, Mr. Mkaka praised the credibility and the primacy of the Moroccan Autonomy Plan as the basis to settle this issue, while reiterating the full support of the Republic of Malawi to the role played by the United Nations as an exclusive and consensual framework to reach a lasting solution to this regional conflict and to the African Union decision 693 adopted by the 31st Summit in July 2018, formally supporting the United Nations process in this regard.

Both Ministers agreed to hold, before the end of the year, a first session of the Joint Commission for Cooperation, as a key mechanism to strengthen the ongoing collaboration between the two countries.

The two officials also underlined the importance of the opening of resident Embassies respectively in Rabat and Lilongwe.

Mr. Mkaka reassured Mr. Bourita of the unwavering support of Malawi to the Moroccan candidacy for the post of Commissioner for Education, Science, technology and innovation.