Morocco –Finland Joint press statement

1. The Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of Morocco, Mr. Nasser Bourita welcomed the Minister for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Finland, Ms. Elina Valtonen, for a working visit in Rabat on March 1 st, 2026.

2. The two ministers exchanged views on many topical issues related to current global affairs, such as the situation in the Middle East, Russia's ongoing war in Ukraine and developments in the Sahel and Sudan. More widely, ministers discussed the shifts in current global order reaffirming the paramount importance of a rules-based international order and the Fundamental principles of the Charter of the United Nations, including that all members shall refrain in their international relations from the threat or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of any state, or in any other manner inconsistent with the Purposes of the United Nations.

3. Ministers furthermore agreed that the relations between Finland and Morocco are excellent and beneficial for both countries. As a follow-up to H.E. Minister Bourita's visit to Finland in August 2024, the two ministers noted with enthusiasm, that bilateral relations have since then developed even further and present many opportunities, especially in the field of trade and investments. Ministers reaffirmed their strong resolve to continue to strengthen economic and trade relations between the two countries. Several key sectors, such as digitalization and the deployment of secure, resilient and trustworthy 5G networks and ICT infrastructure from trusted vendors, as well as water related technologies and renewable energy were mentioned as cooperation sectors carrying special relevance for both countries.

4. Morocco and Finland reiterated the significance of the longstanding, close, multidimensional, and privileged partnership between Morocco and the EU. In this respect, they welcomed with satisfaction the results of the fifteenth session of the EU-Morocco Association Council, held in Brussels on 29 January 2026. Finland expressed its full support for this renewed dynamic affirming Morocco's position as a key partner of the European Union and with a view of further strengthening this partnership of strategic importance. Finland further underlined Morocco's political stability, as well as the comprehensive and ambitious reform agenda pursued under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, which has consolidated Morocco's position as a reliable and essential partner for the EU.

5. The two ministers warmly welcomed the Pact for the Mediterranean launched in Barcelona in November 2025 highlighting the spirit of partnership between the European Union and its southern partners, based on mutual trust and shared responsibility and underlined Morocco's important and constructive role in EU's southern neighborhood as a trusted partner.

6. On Western Sahara, the ministers welcomed the adoption of United Nations Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), which has also been welcomed by the European Union. They reiterated their full support for the efforts of the Secretary-General and his Personal Envoy to facilitate negotiations aimed at achieving a just, lasting, and mutually acceptable political solution, in accordance with the United Nations Charter.

In this context, Finland reiterated its support for the autonomy plan presented by Morocco in 2007, considering it a serious and credible contribution to the UN-led political process and a good basis to achieve a definitive and mutually acceptable political solution that ensures the self-determination of the people of Western Sahara. In line with the UN Security Council Resolution 2797 (2025), Finland considers that genuine autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty could constitute a most feasible solution. Finland welcomed Morocco's engagement in good faith with all parties concerned, in order to clarify the arrangements under the Moroccan autonomy plan and explain what shape autonomy under Moroccan sovereignty would take. Finland also encouraged the parties to share their ideas in support of a definitive and mutually acceptable solution.