EU inks deals to support Morocco's development

The European Union (EU) and Morocco signed on Thursday five agreements with a total value of 498 million euros (526.78 million U.S. dollars) to support Morocco's development, the Moroccan Ministry of Finance said in a statement.

The agreements were signed by the European Commissioner for Neighborhood and Enlargement Oliver Varhelyi and Moroccan Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget Fouzi Lekjaa, it added.

The funds will be used to strengthen Morocco's programs on social protection, facilitate the country's green transition, public administration reform, migration management and its citizens' access to financial services, it added.

Oliver Varhelyi arrived in Rabat on Wednesday for a three-day visit that aimed at strengthening the strategic and multiform partnership between Rabat and Brussels, according to a statement by the EU.

The visit is part of the implementation of the Joint Political Declaration, which was adopted in June 2019 and aimed at giving a new impetus to advance EU's relations with its southern neighbor, the statement said.