By: Morocco world news

Diplomatic Breakthrough: Paraguay Backs Morocco's Sahara Claim

In a significant diplomatic move, Paraguay has solidified its support for Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara by announcing the opening of a Consulate General in the region. This announcement was made during a meeting in Rabat between Paraguayan Foreign Minister Rubén Ramírez Lezcano and his Moroccan counterpart, Nasser Bourita. Minister Lezcano reiterated Paraguay's full support for the Moroccan Autonomy Initiative, describing it as the "only serious, credible and realistic basis" for resolving the dispute.

Forging a Trans-Atlantic Economic Partnership

The two nations adopted a joint declaration to accelerate cooperation in key sectors such as renewable energy, logistics, agriculture, air transport, and tourism. They aim to build a sustainable Atlantic partnership by leveraging their complementary economic profiles: Morocco as an African industrial and logistics hub, and Paraguay as a South American leader in agro-industry and hydroelectric power. The ministers also agreed to enhance ties between Morocco and the South American trade bloc Mercosur, especially as Paraguay prepares to assume its chairmanship.

Shared Opportunity: Collaboration for the 2030 FIFA World Cup

A unique area of collaboration centers on both nations' roles as co-hosts of the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Minister Lezcano highlighted this as a major opportunity for knowledge exchange, praising Morocco's advanced infrastructure and suggesting cooperation on joint projects, security coordination, and tourism promotion.

Deepening Ties: Security, Culture, and Gateways to Regions

The partnership was further strengthened by discussions on several fronts:

Security: The ministers agreed to cooperate in combating organized crime as a shared challenge.

Cultural Exchange: Plans to expand scholarship programs and educational exchanges were discussed to foster deeper people-to-people connections.

Strategic Gateways: Paraguay views Morocco as its "gateway to Africa," while Morocco sees Paraguay as its entry point to the Mercosur bloc and the wider Latin American and Caribbean region. An invitation was extended to King Mohammed VI to attend the upcoming Mercosur summit in Paraguay.

Focus on Food Security and Future Initiatives

The ministers recognized the significant untapped potential for trade and investment. They highlighted Paraguay's role in global food security—producing food for over 100 million people—as a key strategic area for collaboration. Plans for a future business forum were confirmed to facilitate direct private-sector engagement and deepen the economic partnership.