Morocco, Israel Sign Agreement On Scientific Research

Morocco and Israel signed a memorandum of understanding Thursday in the field of scientific research.

Moroccan Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation Minister Abdellatif Miraoui and Israeli Science and Technology Minister Orit Farkash-Hacohen met in the Moroccan capital Rabat, according to a statement issued by Farkash-Hacohen's office.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Rabat, Miraoui said the memorandum of understanding will encourage rapprochement and exchanges of expertise and experience between institutions in both countries.

For her part, the Israeli minister said the agreement signed between the two ministries is within the framework of the normalization agreement signed between Morocco and Israel on Dec. 22, 2020.

Noting that this agreement opens up promising horizons for bilateral cooperation, Farkash-Hacohen said the two countries will work together to advance common issues in various fields by strengthening cooperation on issues related to renewable energies, water technology and science, as well as health and climate change.

In December 2020, former US President Donald Trump announced that his country recognized Morocco's sovereignty over the Western Sahara region and that a US consulate would be opened in the regional city of Dakhla.

On the same day, the Rabat administration decided to resume diplomatic relations with Israel, which it suspended in 2000. With this decision, Morocco became the fourth Arab country to reach a normalization agreement with Israel after the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Sudan. -