Rabat, Morocco (TMT)- On the sidelines of her visit to Marrakesh to take part in the 22nd Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP22), the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Julie Bishop said that Australia will open an embassy in the 2017/2018 financial year in Morocco’s capital Rabat, “contingent upon identifying a suitable location and office fit-out.”
“Today I announce the Government’s intention to open an Australian Embassy in Rabat, Morocco, with the agreement from the Moroccan Government, as part of our commitment to expanding Australia’s diplomatic network,” the Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs said in a statement.
“An embassy in Morocco is an important addition to Australia’s diplomatic network in Africa, a region of considerable commercial interest to Australia,” Bishop further noted.
The Australian Foreign Minister went on further to say that “Morocco is a rapidly industrialising economy and there is significant opportunity to expand Australia’s trade and investment links, including in food and agriculture, infrastructure planning and sustainable development, mining, oil and gas, and health.”
“The new Embassy will also facilitate enhanced collaboration on counter-terrorism and other security issues. Australia values Morocco’s significant role in international efforts to fight international terrorism and extremism,” Bishop stressed.
According to the Australian Foreign Minister, Morocco and Australia “enjoy strong people-to-people links, with many thousands of Australians visiting Morocco each year.”
“The Australian Government hopes to open the Embassy in the 2017/2018 financial year contingent upon identifying a suitable location and office fit-out,” Bishop closed.
