Morocco, Belgium discuss means to develop cooperation in energy

Brussels, Feb 8 (IANS/MAP) Two top officials of Morocco and Belgium met here on Thursday to discuss the important opportunities for cooperation between the two countries in the field of renewable energies.

Chairman of the Board of the Moroccan Agency for Sustainable Energy (MASEN), Mustapha Bakkoury and Belgian Minister of Energy, Environment and Sustainable Development, Marie-Christine Marghem discussed means to develop bilateral cooperation in energy.

Morocco's assets combined with the Belgian expertise can be used to further develop bilateral cooperation in the field of renewable energies, Bakkoury said at the meeting.

The Moroccan official, who highlighted the projects undertaken in the Kingdom under the leadership of HM King Mohammed VI in the field of renewable energies, said that Morocco plays a leading role in this area.

He added that his country sought through South-South cooperation to strengthen the exchange of expertise, to launch projects and to contribute effectively to electrification efforts in Africa.

For her part, the Belgian Minister hailed the efforts made by Morocco for the development of renewable energies, expressing the wish to set-up an in-depth bilateral partnership in this sector.

"I had the opportunity to observe with admiration Morocco's efforts in the field of renewable energies and sustainable development during my participation in the COP 22 in Marrakech," she said.

On bilateral cooperation, Marghem recalled that Belgian economic actors are present in Morocco with major energy and sustainable development projects, noting that the Kingdom has assets that can attract more Belgian operators.

--IANS/MAP

qd/bg