The diplomat highlighted, in an interview with MAP on the sidelines of her participation in Gitex Africa 2025, the Kingdom’s active commitment to the research and innovation sectors, as evidenced by the involvement of some 65 Moroccan institutions in programs related to these areas, including “Horizon Europe.
Referring to the areas of cooperation between the EU and Morocco, the ambassador recalled cooperation with the ministry of Higher Education, particularly through the “Erasmus+” programs which benefit Moroccan students and researchers in European institutions, as well as the partnership with the ministry of Digital Transition and Administration Reform aimed at supporting efforts to digitize administrative procedures.
“The EU shares Africa’s and Morocco’s ambitions to play their own roles in the digital sector, and is providing financial cooperation through grants and loans from the European Investment Bank,” she pointed out.
Ms. Lombardt underlined the ambitious “Medusa” submarine cable project, which aims to strengthen the EU’s digital connectivity with research and education centers in North Africa, particularly in Morocco.
“This is a key moment for the Europe-Africa relationship, which celebrates 25 years of partnership, but especially for our bilateral and multidimensional relationship with Morocco, a country that shares our positions on energy and digital issues,” the ambassador said.
In this regard, she expressed the EU’s ambition to launch a new pact for the Mediterranean with its partners with a view to deepening the Euro-Mediterranean partnership and identifying new areas of cooperation.
Some 100 European companies and startups are taking part in Gitex Africa 2025, held in Marrakech (Apr. 14-16) under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI.
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