MINISTER of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mulambo Haimbe has led a Zambian delegation to the Inaugural Session of the Zambia-Morocco Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation (JPCC) in Laayoune, Morocco.

In a statement made available to ZANIS on Saturday, the Moroccan delegation was headed by Nasser Bourita, Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates. 

According to the statement, the Ministers, who co-chaired the meeting on Friday, December 13, 2024, presided over the signing of Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs) in the areas of education, justice, mines, geology and hydrocarbons, trade and investments as well as tourism. 

“A Joint Communique was issued at the close of the meeting, reaffirming strong bilateral ties and strategic partnership,” read part of the statement.

The meeting underscored the resolve by His Majesty Mohammed VI, King of Morocco to work closely with Zambia as a springboard to greater cooperation, trade and investment between Morocco and countries in the Southern African region, within the broader continental framework of cooperation and trade.

The statement further stated that, earlier, in his remarks at the meeting, Mr Haimbe highlighted the cordial relations between Zambia and the Kingdom of Morocco, anchored by shared culture, values and interests.

In acknowledging the historical ties between the two nations, Mr Haimbe heralded their common membership to regional, continental and international organisations.

He noted that the inaugural session of the JPCC provided an opportunity for the two countries to evaluate existing cooperation, including the Morocco-Zambia Roadmap of Cooperation for the period (2023-2025), and forge new areas of collaboration in response to global challenges.

“In addition, the Ministers agreed to hold the Second Session of the Joint Permanent Commission of Cooperation between Zambia and Morocco in Lusaka, on a date to be mutually agreed through diplomatic channels,” read the statement.