Secretary General of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Kao Kim Hourn, has expressed steadfast support for Morocco’s territorial integrity and hailed the royal initiatives launched for Africa’s development and prosperity.

The supportive stands come in a joint statement released Tuesday in Rabat following Kao’s meeting with Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita.

The two sides discussed ways of strengthening cooperation between Morocco and the Southeast Asian bloc, which includes Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, the Philippines, Brunei-Darussalam, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar and Cambodia.

In 2023, Morocco becomes an ASEAN Sectoral Dialogue Partner. Dr.Kao praised Morocco’s active participation in various ASEAN events on human rights, economic cooperation, transport, social welfare, connectivity and smart city development.

The ASEAN Secretary General hailed Morocco’s successful reforms and impressive socioeconomic development achieved thanks to the vision and leadership of King Mohammed VI.

He also paid tribute to the royal initiatives including the initiative offering Atlantic access to Sahel countries, the Africa-Atlantic Gas pipeline project and the Atlantic African States Initiative.

Morocco is an attractive platform for trade and investments for ASEAN business communities, underlined Mr. Kao, noting that partnership between both sides will enable ASEAN countries access to the African market.

He also said ASEAN provides a real opportunity for Morocco to develop economic cooperation ties with member countries of Southeast Asian regional grouping.

For his part, Bourita said Morocco’s relations with ASEAN is part of the country’s strategy of diversifying partners and promoting strong, mutually beneficial South-South cooperation.

He reiterated Morocco’s readiness to support and collaborate with ASEAN in many sectors, in a win-win approach in various sectors of common interests.