The Kingdom of Morocco officially became the first North African nation to secure the status of “Sectoral Dialogue Partner” with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), according to a press released by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.
The decision was announced during a gathering of ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Jakarta.
The announcement stated that the title reinforces Morocco’s position as a pivotal partner within ASEAN, and validates the vision of King Mohammed V in promoting “the diversification of partnerships and its [Morocco’s] opening to new geopolitical spaces.”
The agreement, which was first proposed at the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Jakarta on July 11-12, 2023, demonstrates Morocco’s expanding prominence and position as a stabilizing force in Africa and the Arab world.
Morocco’s newfound status is expected to usher in expanded collaborations and open doors for increased diplomatic and economic cooperation with ASEAN member states