As a haven of stability in the region, Morocco managed under the leadership of King Mohammed VI to strengthen the rule of law, promote governance and build capacities of human rights and good governance institutions, said the Australian Ambassador to Rabat Berenice Owen-Jones. The Australian Ambassador expressed optimism at the prospects for strengthening bilateral ties stressing that the North African Kingdom offers a platform for Australia’s trade ties with Africa and the Mediterranean while Canberra can act as a gate for Morocco to Oceania and the pacific. Moroccan-Australian bilateral trade reached $89.3 million in 2016, of which Australia imported $ 66.1 million from Morocco and exported $ 23.2 million, she added. In line with the momentum witnessed in bilateral diplomatic ties, an Australian-Moroccan Parliamentary Friendship Group was officially established in the Australian Parliament last Tuesday (August 15). Berenice Owen Jones was positioned in Rabat last May as the first Ambassador of Australia to Morocco.

Source: The North Africa Journal August 17, 2017 15:45 UTC