"By remaining in a spirit of solidarity, north-south, south-south and south-north, Morocco materializes its commitment for a bi-continental EU-Africa pact," said the minister.

Although the pandemic struck all the countries without discrimination, its repercussions in Africa were devastating, he noted, adding that this “did not prevent consultation, cooperation and solidarity on both sides of the Mediterranean and within each area”.

Bourita recalled in this regard the telephone conversation held on April 10 between HM King Mohammed VI and HM King Felipe VI of Spain on the coordination of bilateral and international efforts to fight against the Covid-19.

He also mentioned the launch by the Sovereign on April 13 of the initiative of African heads of state to support the continent's efforts in the various phases of the management of the pandemic.

To concretize this solidarity initiative, he explained, substantial medical aid was sent, following the Royal instructions, to about twenty brotherly African countries, from all the sub-regions of the continent.

Masks, visors, gowns, hydroalcoholic gel and medicines sent to these countries have all been produced by Moroccan companies, according to WHO standards, Bourita said.

As part of the same solidarity spirit, Morocco has contributed to the donation campaign launched on May 4, 2020, by president of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, to develop solutions linked to the development of effective means of combating the Covid-19 pandemic, he added, noting that Morocco has made a financial commitment and is ready to mobilize its pharmaceutical platforms in this regard.

The minister recalled that the EU has also stood alongside Morocco through the reallocation of some 450 million euros from Morocco-EU cooperation funds to support the Kingdom's efforts in mitigating the social and economic repercussions of the health crisis.

According to the minister, appreciable progress has been recorded at the national level and efforts made during almost four months are starting to pay off, adding that the fatality rate has reduced from 12% to less than 2% and that economic activities are striving to return to normal.

Morocco acted early and strongly, said Bourita, recalling that as soon as the first cases were announced, the authorities took all the precautionary measures, including border closures, lockdown, limitation of activities, restriction of movement and increased tests.

Upon the initiative of HM King Mohammed VI, a special fund has been set up to respond to the urgent needs of public health, economic survival and social support, the minister said, adding that thanks to a remarkable surge of national solidarity, this fund has collected more than 3 billion euros in voluntary contributions in just a few weeks.