Last updated in July 2008
Political relations
Germany has maintained diplomatic relations with Morocco since it regained its independence in 1956. The increasing frequency of mutual visits reflects the growing interest in each other’s country. Recent German visitors to Morocco included the Federal Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Wieczorek-Zeul (September 2006), Federal Foreign Minister Steinmeier (November 2006) and Federal Economics Minister Glos (April 2008) as well as German Bundestag President Lammert (November 2006) and numerous other members of the German Bundestag. The most recent high-ramking Moroccan visitor to Germany was Foreign Minister Fassi Fihri (June 2008); in all, twelve Moroccan ministers visited the Federal Republic of Germany in the first six months of 2008.
More than 130,000 people of Moroccan descent live in Germany, many with both German and Moroccan citizenship. 22,000 children take part in the native language programme in Germany.
Germany is a strong advocate of a peaceful solution to the Western Sahara conflict and actively supports the efforts of the United Nations.
Economic relations
Morocco ranks 69th among Germany’s trading partners for imports and 57th for exports, while Germany ranks 7th among Morocco’s trading partners. In 2007, exports to Morocco rose from EUR 1.09 billion to EUR 1.2 billion (+17%), while Moroccan exports to Germany were worth EUR 496 million in 2007 compared with EUR 508 million in the previous year (-2.4%). This means that Germany’s trade surplus with Morocco increased from EUR 501 million to EUR 704 million.
Germany’s principal exports to Morocco were cars, commercial vehicles, machinery and electrical goods, with double-digit growth rates. Its main imports from Morocco were textiles, shoes and foodstuffs, though these are in decline.
In early 2007, Morocco ratified the bilateral investment promotion and protection agreement. This year will see the commencement of negotiations between Germany and Morocco on an amendment to the bilateral double taxation agreement.
There are special opportunities for German companies in the following areas: infrastructure and transportation systems; energy, including renewable energy; commercial services; the environment (water supply, waste disposal and avoidance); and high-end home fittings.
Development cooperation
At the last intergovernmental negotiations on development cooperation held on 14 and 15 July 2008 in Bonn, the German Government pledged a total of EUR 98.5 million for 2008 and 2009. Of this, EUR 83.5 million was for Financial Cooperation (EUR 35.5 million in budget funds, mainly in the form of loans on preferential terms, supplemented by EUR 57.5 million in the form of syndicated loans at market rate) and EUR 15.0 million for Technical Cooperation (in the form of a grant).
The new commitments cover measures in the priority areas of German-Moroccan development cooperation (sustainable economic development; the environment and climate change; drinking-water supply, water management as well as wastewater and solid waste disposal).
Under Germany’s EU Presidency, which ran until the end of June 2007, Germany made progress in the discussion on harmonizing approaches and dividing responsibilities among the various donors active in Morocco with a view to increasing the efficiency of the support given.
Cultural relations
In addition to the programme work, the main focus of German cultural activities in Morocco is on promoting the German language as well as scientific and academic cooperation. The Goethe Institute has branch offices in Casablanca and Rabat and opened a dialogue point for German in Marrakesh in 2004. Another dialogue point for German opened in Tangiers in November 2007.
There is a German-Moroccan intercultural association in Tangiers.University twinning arrangements exist with twelve Moroccan universities in five cities as well as partnerships between the German Research Foundation and the National Scientific Research Centre (CNRS) and between the German Archaeological Institute and the National Archaeological Research Centre (INSAP). An academic teacher seconded by the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) teaches in Rabat.
