The Kingdom of Morocco and the United Kingdom have maintained political relations for centuries, which have always been marked by values of mutual respect and understanding. Morocco and the United Kingdom celebrated in November 2013, the 800th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

The framework for political dialogue between the two countries has deepened remarkably, following the Ministerial Dialogue Forum in 2006, the Bilateral Partnership Agenda in 2011 and the launch of the Strategic Dialogue by both countries’ Foreign Ministers in 2018. This led to further strengthening cooperation in the security, judicial, military and economic fields.

Multiple consultations were held prior to the launch of the Strategic Dialogues:

• July 2017: meeting between the Ambassador of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Director of the MENA region at the FCDO, Mr Neil Crompton. The Director highlighted the importance of seizing the opportunities that arise, particularly in the Brexit context, to build stronger economic and trade relations.
• September 2017: meeting between both Foreign Ministers during the last session of the UN General Assembly.
• 25 January 2018: Mr Alistair Burt (British Minister of State to the FCDO for the MENA Region and International Development) visits Morocco and meets with the Foreign Minister and the Secretary of State.

The UK-Moroccan Association Agreement was signed in 2019. The document, one of the first post-Brexit agreements signed by the UK, was designed to give certainty around trading arrangements to businesses in both countries.

The agreement ensures that British businesses and consumers keep benefiting from trade with the Kingdom of Morocco. It provides, among other benefits, tariff-free trade of industrial products together with the liberalisation of trade in agricultural, agri-food and fisheries products.

On December 8th 2021, Morocco’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, and then UK Foreign Secretary, Liz Truss, signed the Strategic Declaration. This document symbolises our strengthened political dialogue, deeper economic relations, and security cooperation, as well as our many human and cultural connections.

The momentum exists, and the will is there to expand the existing economic links between both countries, building on bilateral trade already worth £1.7 billion annually.

Furthermore, and as a country threatened by climate change, rising temperatures and decreasing rainfall, Morocco is committed to a sustainable future. Morocco’s ambition is to become a leader in climate action, regionally but also at the global stage.

As such, the Kingdom has been a forerunner in the development of innovative green energy projects such as green hydrogen, with a target of 52% of renewables in its energy mix by 2035 and expected to reach 100% renewable energy use by 2050.

In fact, Morocco is already home to the world’s largest concentrated solar power (CSP) with an installed capacity of 1117 MW.

Morocco and the UK share common targets regarding climate change and green tech. Both countries are already collaborating towards reaching net zero – a strategic priority for both countries.

For instance, the Xlinks Morocco-UK undersea cable Power Project, planned to be completed by the end of the decade, will connect seven million British homes to Morocco’s clean energy production with no public subsidy from the UK government.

Additionally, both countries understand that investing in young people’s education is critical to development, and are committed to ensuring that young people receive quality education. In fact, British and Moroccan education institutions are continuing to forge partnerships, with the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge both keen to develop ties.

Recent studies show a rapidly growing - mainly youth-driven - use of English in Morocco. English language education in international schools has increased, with four British schools opening in Rabat, Marrakesh, and Casablanca in the last seven years.

Young Moroccans are seeking to capitalise on the growing demand for graduates with professional proficiency in English by multinational employers in Morocco. To further cater to this demand, UK universities are also increasingly being chosen by Moroccan students. The number of Moroccan students in the UK increased by 51% within the last six years.