Since the late 19th century, relations between Morocco and Italy have been marked by friendship and mutual cooperation. The first diplomatic mission was sent during the reign of Sultan Moulay Hassan I to King Vittorio Emanuele II of Italy in 1879. [1]
Morocco considers Italy a key trading partner, although the economic relationship between the two countries has not yet reached a level commensurate with their standings. According to the Italian Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), the volume of trade between Morocco and Italy reached €1.993 billion between January and November 2013, compared to €1.797 billion during the same period in 2012, representing a growth rate of 10.9%. This figure is modest when compared to Spain's exports to Morocco, which amounted to €5.508 billion. Spain has become Morocco's top supplier with a market share of 13.1%, while Italy fell to the eighth position with a share of 4.6%. Key Moroccan imports from Italy include refined petroleum products, industrial, agricultural, and medical machinery and equipment, as well as electrical devices, cars, and chemical and plastic products. [2] [3]
In March 2024, the governments of Morocco and Italy signed an agreement in Rome for the mutual recognition of driving licenses for the purpose of exchanging them. [4] [5] The agreement was signed by Mr. Youssef Balla, Morocco's ambassador to Italy, and Mr. Matteo Salvini, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Infrastructure and Transport, in the presence of the Deputy Minister in charge of maritime transport. This agreement aims to remove obstacles faced by Moroccans residing in Italy when exchanging new generation driving licenses with Italian registration services. [6]
Morocco exports various fishery and agricultural products and leather goods. As for the nature and volume of Italian investments in Morocco, their value reached €500 million. Italy has had a significant role in major projects, including the construction of dams, highways, and other infrastructure, industrial, and service sector projects. There are also branches of major Italian companies in Morocco. Due to the economic crisis, around 100 small and medium-sized Italian companies have entered the Moroccan market in the past three years, seeking new markets and opportunities to showcase their expertise. [7]
To strengthen security cooperation amidst increasing regional and international security challenges, Morocco and Italy aim to exchange information and expertise, coordinate efforts to combat organized crime and terrorism, and ensure security and stability in both countries. On June 3, 2024, Abdelatif Hammouchi, Director General of National Security and Territorial Surveillance, received Vittorio Pisani, Director General of the Italian National Police, in Rabat. This visit was part of an official trip to Morocco by a significant Italian security delegation. [8] [9] [10]
According to a 2013 census, Moroccans constitute the second-largest foreign community in Italy, with over 517,000 residents, including 300,000 workers and 106,000 students in Italian schools and secondary institutions.
Statistics from the Bank of Italy revealed that remittances by Moroccan migrants to Morocco saw a significant increase of around 15% in recent years. In 2017, these remittances amounted to €277.157 million, confirming an upward trend that has gradually returned to levels seen approximately a decade ago. After exceeding €333 million, remittances fell to €240 million in 2013. [11]
Ukraine has formal relations with many nations and in recent decades has been establishing diplomatic relations with an expanding circle of nations. The foreign relations of Ukraine are guided by a number of key priorities outlined in the foreign policy of Ukraine.
Morocco is a neighbouring and associated country of the European Union. The nation has a territorial land border with EU member Spain in the exclaves of Ceuta and Melilla. It also has a maritime border with Spain through the Gibraltar Strait and Exclusive Economic Zone borders with EU member Portugal in the Atlantic. The relations between the two are framed in the European Neighbourhood Policy (ENP) and the Union for the Mediterranean. Among the ENP countries, Morocco has been recognised an advanced status, opening up to high levels of political cooperation.
In July 2001, President Abdelaziz Bouteflika became the first Algerian President to visit the White House since 1985. This visit, followed by a second meeting in November 2001, and President Bouteflika's participation at the June 2004 G8 Sea Island Summit, is indicative of the growing relationship between the United States and Algeria. Since the September 11 attacks in the United States, contacts in key areas of mutual concern, including law enforcement and counter-terrorism cooperation, have intensified. Algeria publicly condemned the terrorist attacks on the United States and has been strongly supportive of the Global War on Terrorism. The United States and Algeria consult closely on key international and regional issues. The pace and scope of senior-level visits has accelerated.
The People's Republic of China (PRC) and the State of Israel formally established diplomatic relations in 1992. While the Republic of China had de jure recognized Israeli sovereignty in 1949, it eventually lost the Chinese Civil War, bringing the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) to power across mainland China. In 1950, Israel became the first country in the Middle East to recognize the PRC as the sole government of China, but the CCP did not reciprocate by establishing diplomatic ties due to Israel's alignment with the Western Bloc during the Cold War. This discontent persisted until the Cold War came to a close with the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Russia–Tajikistan relations are the bilateral relations between the Russian Federation and Tajikistan.
China-Serbian relations are foreign relations between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Serbia. Relations have been maintained since SFR Yugoslavia's recognition of PR China on October 1, 1949, while diplomatic relations between the two countries were formally established by the exchange of diplomatic notes between the two Foreign Ministers on January 2, 1955. China has an embassy in Belgrade and also maintains an office in Priština based on consent of the Government of Serbia from November 2006. Serbia has an embassy in Beijing and a consulate-general in Shanghai. In 2017, Serbia and China mutually abolished the requirement of obtaining an entry visa for its citizens.
Finland-Italy relations are foreign relations between Finland and Italy. Both countries established diplomatic relations on 6 September 1919. Finland has an embassy in Rome, Italy has an embassy in Helsinki. Both countries are full members of the European Union, NATO, Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, Council of Europe and the Eurozone.
Moroccan trade is still dominated by its main import and export partner France, although France's share in Moroccan trade is declining in favour of the US, the Persian Gulf region and China. If seen as a single entity, the EU is by far Morocco's largest trading partner.
The Byelorussian Soviet Socialist Republic recognized de facto the Islamic Republic of Iran in February 1979, and Belarus and Iran established de jure diplomatic relations in 1992. Belarus has an embassy in Tehran. Iran has an embassy in Minsk.
European Union–Kazakhstan relations are the international relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the common foreign policy and trade relations of the European Union.
People's Republic of China–Ethiopia relations were established in 1970. Ethiopia has an embassy in Beijing and the People's Republic of China has an embassy in Addis Ababa.
China–Thailand relations officially started in July 1975 after years of negotiations. For a long time, Thailand, formerly called Siam, had good relations with China. China was usually greatly respected in Siam and ensured the alliance of both countries. However, after Plaek Phibunsongkhram attempted to erase and prohibit Chinese culture and influence in the country, relations were seriously damaged.
China and Russia established diplomatic relations after the dissolution of the Soviet Union in 1991.
Mexican-Moroccan relations are the diplomatic relations between the United Mexican States and the Kingdom of Morocco. Both nations are members of the Group of 24 and the United Nations.
The State of Israel and the Kingdom of Morocco formally established diplomatic relations in 2020, when both sides signed the Israel–Morocco normalization agreement in light of the Abraham Accords. While official ties had previously not existed due to the Arab–Israeli conflict, the two countries maintained a secretive bilateral relationship on a number of fronts following the 1948 Arab–Israeli War. For many years, Moroccan king Hassan II facilitated a relationship with Israeli authorities, and these ties are considered to have been instrumental in stabilizing Morocco and striking down possible anti-monarchy threats within the country. The Israeli passport is accepted for entry into Morocco, with a visa granted on arrival. With the bilateral normalization agreement in December 2020, Morocco officially recognized Israeli statehood. Almost three years later, in July 2023, Israel officially recognized Moroccan sovereignty over Western Sahara.
Abdellatif Hammouchi is the head of the Moroccan national police directorate, the General Directorate for National Security or DGST as well as head of secret services, the General Directorate for Territorial Surveillance or DGST.
India–Qatar relations refers to the bilateral ties between India and Qatar. India maintains an embassy in Doha, while Qatar maintains an embassy in New Delhi and a consulate in Mumbai.
Brazil–Mozambique relations are the bilateral relations between Brazil and Mozambique. Both nations are members of the Community of Portuguese Language Countries, Group of 77 and the United Nations.
The Abraham Accords are bilateral agreements on Arab–Israeli normalization signed between Israel and the United Arab Emirates and between Israel and Bahrain on September 15, 2020. Mediated by the United States, the announcement of August 13, 2020, concerned Israel and the UAE before the subsequent announcement of an agreement between Israel and Bahrain on September 11, 2020. On September 15, 2020, the signing of the agreements was hosted by US president Trump on the Truman Balcony of the White House amid elaborate staging intended to evoke the signings of historic formal peace treaties in prior administrations.
The Israel–Morocco normalization agreement is an agreement announced by the United States government on December 10, 2020, in which Israel and Morocco agreed to begin normalizing relations. On December 22, 2020, a joint declaration was signed pledging to quickly begin direct flights, promote economic cooperation, reopen liaison offices and establish full diplomatic relations between the two countries.
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