Foreign Affairs Minister Evarist Bartolo has inaugurated the Maltese consulate in Casablanca, as Malta and Morocco seek to strengthen ties.

During a visit to the North African country, Bartolo and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita

Said the two countries have agreed to boost economic cooperation and strengthen consular relations.

Minister Bartolo said Malta and Morocco had maintained relations for nearly 50 years. He said both countries can work together, especially in the post-Covid era, during which regionalization will be strengthened, noting that Morocco plays a very important role in the Mediterranean.

Bartolo said Malta has great experience in the pharmaceutical industry and argued that both countries can assist each other to benefit from good cooperation with the European Union and African Union.

Minister Bartolo said Malta would like Europe to understand better that there cannot be security and peace in Europe if there is no security and peace in Africa. The future of the two continents is linked and regardless of the importance we attach to other regions of the world, Europe's immediate neighbour is Africa.

Minister Bourita welcomed Malta's support for the Kingdom of Morocco in its relations with the European Union and highlighted the convergence of views between Morocco and Malta on various international issues.

Minister Evarist Bartolo later inaugurated the new Maltese Consulate in Casablanca. The Maltese Consulate will be focusing on developing economic ties between Malta and Morocco. Malta’s presence in Casablanca offers an important window of opportunity to expand ties, while seeking avenues of cooperation to facilitate trade and people-to-people contact, he said.