MOROCCO IN, ALGERIA OUT
Morocco becomes ‘Sectoral Dialogue Partner’ of ASEAN _Morocco has secured the distinction of being the first in Africa to attain this status_ In the ever-shifting landscape of international diplomacy, a notable contrast has emerged between two North African nations: Morocco and Algeria. While Algeria grapples with the repercussions of its recent rejection by the BRICS, Morocco has scored a significant diplomatic victory by officially attaining the status of an ASEAN sectoral dialogue partner.
This development, though not intentionally directed at Algeria, has inadvertently delivered yet another lesson in the realm of global diplomacy. Morocco's diplomatic finesse and professionalism have once again taken center stage. The North African nation has, for some time now, been nurturing closer ties with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the preeminent intergovernmental organization in Southeast Asia.
The recent grant of sectoral dialogue partner status to Morocco by ASEAN opens up exciting new possibilities for Moroccan companies to forge mutually beneficial sectoral partnerships with their counterparts in the ten ASEAN member countries. Interestingly, this announcement from Morocco's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccans Residing Abroad comes on the heels of a stinging setback for Algeria within the BRICS group. During the BRICS summit held on August 24, Algeria's aspirations for membership were dashed, while six new countries were admitted to the group in one fell swoop.
As the Algerian government grapples with the fallout of this latest diplomatic setback, observers in Algeria are urging their leadership to take a page from Morocco's playbook, despite the ongoing tensions between the two nations. Morocco's recent diplomatic achievement did not happen overnight; it was the culmination of years of discreet, persistent efforts.
The Kingdom took its first step towards this milestone in 2016 when it joined the ASEAN Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation (TAC) and later submitted its application for Sectoral Dialogue Partner status in February 2018. The extensive groundwork undertaken during this period has finally paid off. Morocco's success in strengthening its position within ASEAN not only underscores the nation's adept diplomatic strategy but also serves as a reminder of the ever-evolving dynamics in global politics. As countries seek to expand their influence and cooperation on the international stage, the experiences of Morocco and Algeria offer valuable insights into the art of diplomatic maneuvering and persistence on the world stage."
