In execution of High Royal Instructions, Minister Delegate to the Head of Government, in charge of National Defense Administration Abdeltif Loudyi took part on Thursday in Madrid in the 20th meeting of the Ministers of Defense of the “5+5 Defense” Initiative member countries.
The meeting was an opportunity to assess cooperation activities conducted in 2024 and to draw up an action plan for 2025.
In his speech, Loudiyi emphasized that Morocco, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, has consistently shown full commitment to various initiatives aimed at maintaining peace, stability and security, paired with the region's economic and social development.
Emphasizing the security challenges facing the region, the Minister Delegate affirmed that the Kingdom remains open to all forms of bilateral and multilateral cooperation aimed at combating illegal immigration and terrorist threats.
He added that Morocco advocates a global approach based on shared responsibility, which integrally and effectively tackles these risks.
“We must therefore seek to promote partnership strategies and plan realistic co-development programs involving countries on both shores of the Western Mediterranean”, he noted.
In this context, Loudyi praised the considerable efforts made by Spain to ensure the success of the Initiative's 2024 presidency, as well as the contributions made by member countries to make the Initiative a privileged forum for multilateral cooperation, aimed at deepening dialogue, consultation and sharing experience and expertise around common security and defense interests.
With regard to the 2024 review of actions, the Minister Delegate was delighted with the satisfactory results achieved thanks to the commitment of member countries and the excellent work accomplished by the Steering Committee, under the Spanish presidency.
In this respect, he continued, Morocco welcomes the results of the research work on the theme of “Climate change and security in the Mediterranean region”, which identified the security challenges facing the region as a result of climate disruption, as well as cooperation mechanisms to strengthen resilience against climate change and its detrimental consequences.
Concerning the action plan for 2025, the heads of delegation from the member countries of the “5+5 Defense” Initiative highlighted the richness and diversity of the plan, reflecting the determination and commitment of member countries to uphold the momentum and vitality of the Initiative.
In this context, Morocco will provide all the support necessary to carry out activities scheduled for 2025, in particular in the context of the research project titled “Maritime security in Western Mediterranean: the 5+5 Defense Initiative contribution”.
Tunisia will hold the rotating presidency of the “5+5 Defense” Initiative for 2025.
