Egyptian, Moroccan FMs exchange views on issues of joint concern

CAIRO – 5 March 2025: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration Badr Abdelatty received Tuesday his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Burrita, to discuss bilateral relations, and Egyptian efforts aimed at the sustainability of the ceasefire in Gaza, acceleration of humanitarian aid delivery, and kickstarting early recovery and reconstruction.

Minister Abdelatty reiterated rejection to the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, and the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state on the borders of June 4, 1967 having as capital Eastern Jerusalem.

The two ministers also exchanged views on matters and issues of joint interest.

Secretary-General of the Exporters Division and Chairman of the African Affairs Committee at the General Union of the Chambers of Commerce Ahmed Zaki told Al Shorouk newspaper on February 20 that Morocco had suspended the entry of Egyptian goods a few weeks earlier as a response to not fully implementing Agadir Agreement by Egypt.

The agreement – signed in 2004 - allows free trade among Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, and Jordan. Morocco objects that Egypt does not import cars manufactured in the country.

Further, Member of the Exporters and Importers Division at Giza Chamber of Commerce Sherif al-Barbary told the same newspaper that Egypt had often banned the entry of Moroccan imports for not meeting quality standards or being counterfeit of global brands.

The size of annual trade exchange between Egypt and Morocco is $1.3 billion. Also, the Egyptian market houses 295 Moroccan enterprises investing around $230 million. The value of Egyptian exports to Morocco ranges between $800-900 million per annum, and they include ceramic, food, vegetables, fruits, iron, cement, coal, home appliances and electronics.

Earlier this week, Egypt's Minister of Investment Hassan al-Khatib held a visit to Morocco to "confer over ways to bolster economic bilateral ties," as indicated in a press statement.

The Moroccan foreign minister was present in Cairo to attend the Emergency Arab Summit on Gaza that took place Tuesday.