Morocco and Bahrain Strengthen Bilateral Ties at Sixth Joint High Commission Session in Laayoune

Casablanca, The Gulf Observer: Morocco and Bahrain reaffirmed their shared determination to deepen bilateral cooperation across multiple sectors during the sixth session of their Joint High Commission, held in Laayoune.

The meeting was co-chaired by Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Bahrain’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Abdullatif bin Rashid Al Zayani.

The session provided an opportunity for both sides to review the trajectory of relations between Rabat and Manama and explore avenues to further expand collaboration in line with their shared priorities.

Speaking on the occasion, Bourita underscored the depth of the longstanding fraternal ties uniting the two nations and their peoples. He reaffirmed Morocco’s commitment to injecting new momentum into the partnership and broadening it to encompass additional areas of cooperation. The Moroccan minister also highlighted the considerable potential available to both countries and stressed the importance of optimally utilizing existing opportunities to advance mutual interests.

For his part, Al Zayani expressed pride in visiting what he described as his second home, Morocco, reiterating Bahrain’s keenness to continue close coordination with Moroccan authorities to consolidate and diversify bilateral cooperation. He emphasized the importance of sustained dialogue and coordination to further strengthen relations across various sectors.

Discussions during the session focused on assessing progress achieved under existing cooperation frameworks and identifying ways to elevate the partnership to a higher level. The ministers also exchanged views on regional and international developments, as well as Arab issues of mutual concern.

The session was marked by the signing of several agreements and memorandums of understanding covering diplomatic facilitation, customs cooperation, agriculture, rural development, food security, and social protection. Among the signed instruments were agreements granting visa exemptions for holders of diplomatic, special, and service passports between the two countries.

A memorandum of understanding on customs cooperation was concluded between Morocco’s Administration of Customs and Indirect Taxes and Bahrain’s Customs Affairs to enhance coordination and facilitate exchanges. Additional memorandums addressed agricultural and animal production, rural development, and food security, alongside an agreement on pensions and social security cooperation between Morocco’s Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion and Bahrain’s General Organization for Social Insurance.

At the conclusion of the session, both sides welcomed the positive trajectory of bilateral relations and reiterated their commitment to elevating ties to broader levels, in line with the directions of Mohammed VI and Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa.

The two countries noted with satisfaction the alignment of their positions on key regional and international matters, reflecting the close partnership that continues to characterize Morocco–Bahrain relations.