Morocco and Belgium have agreed to establish a bilateral security dialogue in response to shared security challenges posed by the current international context, Morocco’s foreign minister said Monday.
Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita said the agreement was reached during talks in Rabat with his Belgian counterpart, Maxime Prévot.
The proposed dialogue will focus on coordination and cooperation in addressing common security concerns, including safeguarding the spiritual security of the Moroccan community abroad and protecting it from exploitation that could undermine its values or ties to Morocco, Bourita said at a joint news conference following the meeting.
Bourita also said Morocco expressed solidarity with Gulf countries, including Oman, in the face of what he described as Iranian attacks. He said the security and stability of Gulf states are an integral part of Morocco’s own security and stability, adding that Rabat supports measures aimed at preserving their sovereignty, protecting their territories and ensuring the safety of citizens and residents.
On the Palestinian issue, Bourita said both sides stressed the importance of stability in the Gaza Strip and the need to preserve the legal and historical status of the West Bank. He said they reaffirmed that establishing a clear political horizon based on a two-state solution remains an essential option for achieving a just and lasting peace in the Middle East.
At the African level, Bourita said both countries attach particular importance to the continent, citing Belgium’s historical ties with several African states and Morocco’s role in promoting security, stability and development across Africa. He said this opens additional prospects for coordination and cooperation between Rabat and Brussels.
Bourita described relations between Morocco and Belgium as solid and supported by both Mohammed VI and Philippe, saying ties between the two royal families constitute a key pillar of bilateral relations.
He noted that diplomatic relations between the two countries date back more than 160 years to the signing of their first agreement. In recent years, he said, ties have entered one of their strongest phases, marked by mutual trust, a willingness to cooperate and tangible results across various sectors.
Bourita pointed in particular to the holding of the joint high commission in 2024 as evidence of renewed momentum in bilateral relations.
He also praised what he described as the Belgian government’s “positive and constructive” position on the Moroccan Sahara issue, saying it has strengthened trust and ambition between the two countries and allowed their partnership to reach a higher level. He added that Monday’s meeting provided an opportunity to assess progress in implementing a bilateral roadmap agreed upon last October across multiple areas of cooperation.
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