Agadir 24 | Agadir24/UAE
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God grant him victory, chaired the meeting, accompanied by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan, His Royal Highness Prince Moulay Rachid, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Khadija, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Meryem, and the French President, His Excellency Mr. Emmanuel Macron, accompanied by his wife, Mrs. Brigitte. Macron held the signing ceremony of a number of agreements between the Kingdom of Morocco and the French Republic this Monday evening at the Alex Reed Palace in Rabat.
The first agreement relates to a protocol of agreement to supply locomotives for the high-speed train and its supporting elements.
The agreement, signed by the Director General of the National Railways Office, Mr. Mohamed Rabih Lakhla, and the General Director of Alstom, Mr. Henri Poupart-Lafarge, concerns the contract for the acquisition of locomotives for the high-speed train (12 completed and 6 optional).
As for the second agreement, it is a declaration of intent regarding financial cooperation in the railway sector, signed by the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mrs. Nadia Fattah, the Director General of the National Railway Office, Mohamed Rabie Lakhla, and the French Minister of Economy, Finance and Industry, Mr. Antoine Armon.
The third agreement relates to an assistance contract between the National Railway Office and SYSTRA/EGIS.
This contract, signed by the Director General of the National Railway Office, Mr. Mohamed Rabih Lakhli, and the Director General of EGIS, Mr. Laurent Germain, provides assistance services for the implementation of infrastructure projects for the high-speed line between Kenitra and Marrakesh, signed with the EGIS RAIL/SYSTRA/ group. NOVEC.
As for the fourth agreement, it is a contract to supply equipment between the National Railway Office and VOSSLOH COGIFER.
This contract, signed by the Director General of the National Railway Office, Mr. Mohamed Rabih Lakhli, and the President of VOSSLOH, Mr. Bertrand Griesbert, stipulates the supply of railway equipment for the high-speed line within the framework of the completion of the railway line between Kenitra and Marrakesh, signed with VOSSLOH COGIFER SA.
Regarding the fifth agreement, it is an agreement protocol between the government of the Kingdom of Morocco and the “Safran” company, to establish a site for the maintenance and repair of aircraft engines.
Under this agreement, which was signed by the Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Riad Mazour, the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister in charge of Investment, Conduct and Evaluation of Public Policies, Mr. Karim Zidane, and the President of the “Safran” company, Mr. Ross MacInnis, the French company intends to implement an investment project related to the construction and equipment of a workshop. For maintenance and repair of LEAP aircraft engines with an investment value of approximately 130 million euros.
As for the sixth agreement, which stipulates the activation of “Morocco’s offer” in order to develop the green hydrogen sector, it was signed by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Mrs. Nadia Fattah, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Mrs. Leila Benali, and the Minister Delegate to the Prime Minister-designate. In investment, convergence and evaluation of public policies, Mr. Karim Zidane, the General Director of “Total Energy”, Mr. Patrick Pouyanne, and the General Director of “Total Irene”, David Corcia.
Under this preliminary contract, the state undertakes to fill the real estate base and allocate it exclusively to the investor, in accordance with the conditions contained in the aforementioned contract, and in general to respect all its obligations, in exchange for the investor’s fulfillment of all his obligations.
The seventh agreement, signed by the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Ms. Leila Benali, and the French Minister Delegate to the Minister of Environmental Transition, Energy, Climate and Risk Prevention, in charge of Energy, Ms. Olga Givernet, relates to a strategic partnership for cooperation in the field of energy, connectivity and energy transition.
This partnership aims to develop cooperation and exchanges between the two parties in the field of energy, especially energy policy, planning, certification and regulation, renewable energies, electrical systems, including production and electrical networks, low-carbon hydrogen production, energy storage, minerals of a special nature, and molecular transport. .
As for the eighth agreement, it is a protocol of agreement on creating a mechanism to accelerate investments in Morocco-France, signed by the Director General of the Mohammed VI Investment Fund, Mr. Mohamed Benchaaboun, the Director General of the French Development Agency, Rémy Rioux, the Director General of STOA, Ms. Marie-Laure Mazo, and the Director of Social Affairs. International and European at the Public Investment Bank of France, Ms. Isabelle Piper.
This concerns a protocol agreement worth approximately 3 billion dirhams of capital, to create a mechanism to accelerate Morocco-France investment and an equal partnership aimed at stimulating investment throughout Moroccan territory, including the southern provinces. It aims to create a 50/50 joint venture dedicated to sustainable infrastructure, with a capital of 300 million euros.
The ninth agreement includes a declaration of intent to strengthen cooperation in the field of civil prevention, signed by the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Abdel-Wafi Laftit, and the French Minister of the Interior, Mr. Bruno Retilio.
Under this agreement, the two signatories announce their intention to develop their bilateral cooperation in the field of civil protection, by exchanging best practices and sharing experiences on sensor systems during civil protection crises, establishing joint working groups, and developing structured projects.
As for the tenth agreement signed by Mr. Abdelwafi Laftit and his French counterpart, Bruno Retilio, it relates to a declaration of intent to enhance cooperation in the field of fighting fires in natural spaces.
Under this agreement, the two signatories declare their intention to develop and intensify their bilateral cooperation in the field of using aerial means to fight fires in natural spaces.
The eleventh agreement was signed by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Barka, and the Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD), Mr. Rémy Rioux, and relates to a declaration between the Moroccan National Ports Agency and the French Development Agency, through which the two sides agree to formulate a new support program for the National Ports Agency, based on On four main axes: the green transformation of ports, improving resilience to climate change, the blue economy and innovation that covers the entire national territory, including the southern provinces (Dakhla and Laayoune). For this purpose, the French Development Agency is committed to mobilizing a loan of 100 million euros.
As for the twelfth agreement, it is a protocol of understanding in the field of water, signed by the Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, the Minister Delegate to the Minister of Economy and Finance in charge of the budget, Mr. Fawzi Lakjaa, and the French Secretary of State to the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs in charge of Francophonie and International Partnerships, Thani Mohamed. Souilihi, and the Director General of the French Development Agency, Mr. Remy Rioux.
Under this agreement, the two parties look forward to formulating a new support program for the National Water Strategy, which could be based around budgetary support with the aim of strengthening the integrated management of water resources, while the French Development Agency is committed to taking the necessary measures to mobilize a financial envelope of 100 million euros for this programme.
The thirteenth agreement relates to a framework agreement in the agricultural and forestry fields, signed by the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries, Rural Development, Water and Forests, Mr. Ahmed Bouari, and the Minister of Agriculture, Food Sovereignty and Forestry of the French Republic, Ms. Annie Gonevar.
This framework agreement defines the priority axes of cooperation between Morocco and France in the agricultural and forestry fields to contribute to enhancing economic, social and environmental sustainability and the resilience of these sectors in the face of climate change. It can also contribute to cooperation in the agricultural field towards Africa, by relying on Morocco’s position as a link. A link between France, the European Union, and Africa.
The fourteenth agreement relates to a French-Moroccan declaration of intent for cooperation in the field of education 2024-2026.
Through this declaration, which was signed by the Minister of National Education, Primary Education and Sports, Mr. Mohamed Saad Berrada, the French Minister of National Education, Ms. Anne Genetti, and the Minister of Higher Education and Research, Mr. Patrick Hetzel, the two parties aspire to develop their cooperation in the following axes: supporting distinguished training, and keeping up with Technical education divisions, strengthening the network of French educational institutions in Morocco, contributing to teaching the Arabic language in France, and revitalizing partnerships between academies.
The fifteenth agreement concerns a declaration of intent in the field of higher education, scientific research and innovation, signed by the Minister of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation, Mr. Azzedine El-Midawi, and the French Minister of Higher Education and Research, Mr. Patrick Hetzel.
This announcement includes partnership initiatives around three axes: supporting partnership in the field of university training, adding dynamism to scientific cooperation in priority areas by strengthening the relationship with enterprises, and supporting cooperation on the governance of the higher education, research and innovation system, by strengthening institutional capabilities.
As for the sixteenth agreement, it concerns a protocol of agreement to establish a French-Moroccan research center with an African orientation. This center, the first of its kind in Africa, will be dedicated to training, research and innovation in precise fields: artificial intelligence, huge databases, cybersecurity, renewable energies, hydrogen, and the humanities and social sciences.
This protocol of agreement was signed by the President of the International University of Rabat, Noureddine Meddeb, the President and Director General of the National Center for Scientific Research, Antoine Petit, and the President of the Sorbonne University, Ms. Nathalie Drache-Tiemann.
The seventeenth agreement relates to a declaration of intent for cultural cooperation, signed by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaïd, and the French Minister of Culture, Ms. Rachida Dati.
According to this declaration, the two parties intend to enhance bilateral cooperation in six areas: cultural and creative industries, books, libraries and Francophonie, exchange between professionals and keeping pace with mobility, heritage, museums and artistic professions, and a common approach towards Africa.
The eighteenth agreement concerns a declaration of intent to support and structure the cultural and creative industry system in the field of video games, signed by the Minister of Youth, Culture and Communication, Mr. Mohamed Mehdi Bensaid, the Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Jean-Noel Barro, and the Minister of Culture, Ms. Rachida Dati.
This announcement aims to strengthen cooperation by mobilizing French expertise to support the structuring of the video game system in Morocco, and the creation of an electronic games city in Rabat, under the supervision of the Ministry of Youth, Culture and Communication in the Kingdom of Morocco.
The nineteenth agreement relates to a protocol of agreement between the OCP Group and the French Development Agency, in the field of carbon removal, and was signed by the President and Director General of the OCP Group, Mr. Mustafa Al-Tarrab, the Director General of the French Development Agency, Mr. Remy Rioux, and the Director of International and European Affairs at the Investment Bank. General of France, Mrs. Isabelle Piper.
The agreement, whose value is estimated at 350 million euros, includes supporting the decarbonization strategy of the OCP Group in Morocco, and supporting the development of agricultural and food value chains in Africa by supporting the agricultural financing platform “Agri-Finance” affiliated with the OCP Group, and supporting and intensifying partnerships between French companies. And the OCP group, supporting training and research in the field of food security.
As for the twentieth agreement, it relates to a joint development agreement between the OCP and “ENGIE” within the framework of a partnership in the field of energy transition, signed by the President and Director General of the OCP Group, Mustafa Al-Tarab, and the General Director of “ENGIE”, Catherine McGregor.
This agreement will contribute to strengthening the local industrial system and creating new opportunities for the two companies and their national and international partners. This agreement, related to the activities of the OCP, includes five projects: “Electric Transmission Network”; “green hydrogen”; “Green electricity”; “Water desalination for agricultural use” and “Research and innovation.”
As for the twenty-first agreement, it concerns an agreement protocol related to the expansion of the second phase of the wind farm in Taza, signed by the Director General of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Mr. Tarek Hamman, and the Managing Director of EDF Renewable Energy, Breno Vio, on an expansion project related to the development, financing, construction and operation of Maintenance of the second phase of the wind farm in Taza, with a capacity of 63 megawatts.
The twenty-second agreement relates to an agreement between the international maritime transport company (CMA CGM), the third largest player in the world, and (Tangier Med), which aims to develop a container terminal in (Nador, western Mediterranean) within the framework of an assignment obtained by (Marina Morocco), with a commitment to the sizes of containers. A mission (1.2 million containers) to launch the (Nador Western Mediterranean) platform, and an investment worth 258 million euros.
This agreement, signed by the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of the Tangier-Med Special Agency, Fouad Brini, and the President and General Manager of the CMA CGM Group, Rodolphe Saada, will enable it to keep pace with other Moroccan port and logistics projects.
This ceremony was attended, in particular, by the Prime Minister, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the Advisor to His Majesty, Mr. Fouad Ali Al-Himma, a number of government members, members of the delegation accompanying the French President, and a number of dignitaries.
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“green ammonia”; “carbon capture, utilization, and storage”; and “renewable energy production” projects. These initiatives aim to facilitate the integration of renewable energy sources into Morocco’s energy mix, support the country’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and enhance energy security.
The agreements outlined above signify a pivotal step in enhancing France-Morocco cooperation across multiple sectors, including energy, water management, agriculture, education, culture, and environmental protection. Each signed partnership reflects a mutual commitment to fostering sustainable development and addressing pressing global challenges like climate change and food security.
These collaborative efforts will likely strengthen the economic ties between the two nations, promoting investment and innovation while highlighting Morocco’s strategic role as a hub for cooperation with Europe and Africa. these agreements pave the way for an integrated approach to sustainable development and technology transfer, ultimately benefiting both countries and their citizens.
