Rabat - Coinciding with the opening of its embassy in Morocco, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced the appointment of its first resident ambassador to Morocco, Berenice Owen-Jones.

Rabat – Coinciding with the opening of its embassy in Morocco, the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade has announced the appointment of its first resident ambassador to Morocco, Berenice Owen-Jones.

The new university-educated ambassador’s credentials go without saying but include extensive diplomatic experience and a number of security positions.

In their statement announcing her appointment, the department praised the decades-long relationship between Australia and Morocco and explained their decision to open the embassy and install a resident ambassador as a means to nurture deeper ties and explore “new areas of cooperation.”

The statement also praised Morocco’s effective involvement in the global fight against extremism.The two countries already share membership in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS.

While acknowledging that the new embassy will enhance this cooperation, the main focus was on “expanding trade and investment links in food and agriculture, infrastructure planning and sustainable development, mining, oil and gas, and health.”

Owen-Jones is expected to take up her appointment by June.