Bourita: Costa Rican Foreign Minister’s Visit is a Milestone for Strengthening Bilateral Partnership
The Minister of Foreign Affairs and African Cooperation, Nasser Bourita, affirmed that the visit of his Costa Rican counterpart, Arnoldo André Tinoco, to Morocco represents a “remarkable milestone” in the path of bilateral relations. This visit reflects a mutual desire to advance their partnership in the context of increasing international and regional tensions.
Bourita stated, in remarks following discussions with the Costa Rican official, that this visit is part of the dynamic led by King Mohammed VI to diversify the kingdom’s partnerships and enhance its openness to countries in Latin America and Central America. He emphasized that the relationship between Rabat and San José is based on principles of mutual respect and commitment to international law, alongside a dedication to shared values of peace and development.
The Moroccan official noted that the discussions resulted in a roadmap for developing cooperation, including the agreement to revive the political consultation mechanism between the two countries. He described Costa Rica as a “reliable actor” on the international stage and commended the conduct of its recent elections, which reflect the strength of its democratic institutions.
On the economic front, the minister acknowledged a gap between the level of political relations and economic cooperation, confirming that the latter “still falls short of aspirations.” This prompted both parties to focus on increasing visits by sector ministers and encouraging business leaders to explore investment opportunities.
He also highlighted that Morocco could serve as a gateway for Costa Rica to Africa, particularly in the western and central regions of the continent, while Costa Rica represents a portal for Morocco to Central America, enhancing economic integration between both sides.
Regarding issues of mutual interest, Bourita stressed the importance of boosting cooperation in areas such as migration and combating transnational organized crime, including human trafficking and drug smuggling, through the exchange of expertise and increased international coordination.
On regional issues, the minister reviewed the recent developments concerning the Moroccan Sahara, underscoring the dynamism witnessed under King Mohammed VI’s leadership, which has been crowned by recent decisions from the Security Council. He praised Costa Rica’s positive evolution in its stance on this conflict, as reflected in the joint statement between the two countries.
Bourita also noted the alignment of positions between Rabat and San José on several international issues, commending Costa Rica’s role in international organizations, particularly in the fields of human rights and environmental protection, areas likely to enhance bilateral coordination.
In a multilateral context, Bourita reiterated Morocco’s support for the Costa Rican initiative, referring to its candidacy for the position of Secretary-General of the United Nations, and affirming that the Costa Rican candidate possesses the qualifications and experience necessary to attain this position.
The minister concluded that this visit represents an important step in revitalizing bilateral relations and opening promising horizons for developing partnerships between the two countries across political, economic, cultural, and humanitarian levels.
