The European Union announced Friday that its Commission has approved new cooperation programs, worth up to €389 million, for the Kingdom of Morocco. The programs come as part of the EU support for Moroccan reforms, inclusive development, border management, and the work on developing a “European-Moroccan partnership for common prosperity.” The programs include €289 million destined to back up the reforms engaged in the North African Kingdom and its sustained inclusive development, while €101.7 million will support Morocco’s efforts to combat human smuggling and irregular migration. This program was adopted last week as part of the EU Emergency Trust Fund for Africa. “Morocco has long been a privileged partner of the European Union with which we share our borders and aspirations,” stressed EU high representative for foreign affairs and security policy Josep Borrell. “Under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has made important modernization steps and has made rapprochement with Europe a strategic choice,” a European Commission statement quoted Borell as saying. He affirmed that “faced with common challenges, the time has come to give new impetus to our relations with deeper and more diversified cooperation, including Africa, to connect our futures and bring our people closer together.” For his part, the European Commissioner for European neighborhood policy and enlargement, Oliver Varhelyi, said that “Morocco plays a crucial role as a partner of the European Union.” The European Commission will support Morocco in achieving sustainable and inclusive growth, fighting irregular migration networks, and improving the protection of migrants, Varhelyi said. He concluded that the EU will continue assisting Morocco to address its social and economic issues.