Steering Committee meets in Morocco ahead of Defense Ministers gathering – The North Africa Post

The Steering Committee of the “5+5 Defense” Initiative started this Wednesday, in Rabat, a two-day meeting to discuss preparations for the upcoming gathering of the Defense ministers of member countries due Dec.16 in the Moroccan capital.

The steering committee meeting includes representatives from France and Spain. They will discuss the 2022 activities of member countries of the defense initiative, as well as the 2023 action plan. The draft joint declaration that will be adopted by Defense ministers at their Rabat meeting will also be reviewed.

The Cyber Forum, training on humanitarian mining, 2022 maritime surveillance exercise, and the gender approach to overseas military operations will all be discussed by members of the steering committee.
In a speech, read on his behalf by Brigadier General Mohamed Haial, Inspector General of the Royal Armed Forces Lt. Gen. Belkhir El Farouk said Morocco will provide the necessary support to ensure success to all projects proposed within the frame of the “5+5 Defense”.

He also praised the efforts made by all member nations to strengthen the Initiative to counter cross border security threats.

In 2022, member countries of this regional defense initiative conducted several military drills and benefited from training and advanced research work carried out by the “5+5 Defense” College and the Euro-Maghreb Center for Research & Strategic Studies.

In the draft action plan 2023, the Royal Armed Forces offer to host a Search & Rescue Exercise (SAREX), two training courses, three seminars and naval coordination group meeting.

A statement released by the Royal Armed Forces says this shows Morocco’s strong commitment to the “5+5 Defense Initiative” which seeks to foster cooperation and understanding between the two shores of the Western Mediterranean.