Moroccan-Ghanaian partnership would help shape genuine african unity
Morocco-Ghana, Politics, 5/16/2001

Morocco's King Mohammed VI expressed confidence that Moroccan-Ghanaian partnership would contribute to the shaping of genuine African Unity based on economic complementary and on stronger bonds of solidarity.

"I am confident that our partnership will make a significant contribution to the shaping of genuine African Unity based on economic complementary and on stronger bonds of solidarity amongst our nations as well as on our willingness to repudiate any divisive inclinations inherited from the colonial era and to display full respect for the integrity, sovereignty and identity of African states," said King Mohammed VI at an exchange of toasts during the official dinner banquet he hosted Tuesday evening in Agadir in honor of President John Kufuor of Ghana.

The king said he was convinced that President Kufuor's visit will yield positive results and will enhance the ties of African solidarity existing between the two countries.

"Likewise, it will give a new impetus to the cooperation process between Morocco and Ghana, by making it possible to lay down new rules and mechanisms, with a view to stimulating bilateral relations in various economic, technical and cultural fields, in addition to strengthening the current dialogue and turning it into a direct, ongoing exercise for political consultation purposes," King Mohammed VI said, pledging to spare no effort to boost cooperation relations with African brethren and to take practical and realistic steps to help Africa deal with its major problems in accordance with a comprehensive and ambitious development strategy.

The king recalled "the historic, deep-rooted bonds" binding Morocco and Ghana, as well as "the lofty values" upheld by ancestors in their long march for the liberation and unification of Africa.

He underlined "the pioneering and effective role" played by the late Ghanaian President K'wame Nkrumah and by Morocco's sovereigns, the late King Mohammed V and the late King Hassan II, who "all fought relentlessly for the liberation, the independence and the dignity of Africa, drawing on the very principles which kept them so close to each other within the Casablanca Group which was regarded as the core of what was to become the Organization of African Unity."

"Here we are again, endeavoring to strengthen the bonds which shaped this shared history, working in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity to achieve comprehensive sustainable development, following the path of democracy and the democratic ideals to which we are jointly committed," he said.

The sovereign also paid tribute to president Kufuor's "enlightened leadership," his efforts to bring comfort and happiness to his people and "to give concrete illustration of the notion of rotation in a democratic process, of which you have been the driving force, thus adding to the aura enjoyed by your country regionally and internationally."

Here follows the full text of the speech delivered by King Mohammed VI at the dinner banquet hosted in honor of President Kufuor:

"Mr. President,

Excellencies,

Ladies and Gentlemen;

I am delighted to welcome our great guest, his Excellency Mr. John KOFUOR, President of the Republic of Ghana. I take special pride in reviewing the historic, deep-rooted bonds which have brought Morocco and your great African nation closer together, as well as the lofty values which our ancestors were advocating jointly in their long march for the liberation and unification of our continent, Africa.

Indeed, African memory recollects with much pride the pioneering and effective role played by the great Ghanaian leader, the late President K'wame Nkrumah and by my venerated grand-father and my revered father, His Majesty the late King Mohammed V and His Majesty the late King Hassan II-May God bless their souls-. They all fought relentlessly for the liberation, the independence and the dignity of Africa, drawing on the very principles which kept them so close to each other within the Casablanca Group which was regarded as the core of what was to become the Organization of African Unity.

Here we are again, endeavoring to strengthen the bonds which shaped this shared history, working in a spirit of cooperation and solidarity to achieve comprehensive sustainable development, following the path of democracy and the democratic ideals to which we are jointly committed.

I wish to avail myself of this opportunity to pay tribute to the enlightened leadership you are providing in an effort to bring comfort and happiness to your people and to give concrete illustration of the notion of rotation in a democratic process, of which you have been the driving force, thus adding to the aura enjoyed by your country regionally and internationally.

Mr. President,

Proceeding from our conviction that Morocco is deeply rooted in Africa, we shall spare no effort to boost cooperation relations with our African brethren.

Consequently, we felt a keen desire to take practical and realistic steps to help Africa deal with its major problems in accordance with a comprehensive and ambitious development strategy.

Mr. President,

I am convinced that your auspicious visit to Morocco, as your second country, will yield positive results, as it will enhance the ties of African solidarity existing between us. Likewise, it will give a new impetus to the cooperation process between Morocco and Ghana, by making it possible to lay down new rules and mechanisms, with a view to stimulating bilateral relations in various economic, technical and cultural fields, in addition to strengthening the current dialogue and turning it into a direct, ongoing exercise for political consultation purposes.

I am also confident that our partnership will make a significant contribution to the shaping of genuine African Unity based on economic complementary and on stronger bonds of solidarity amongst our nations as well as on our willingness to repudiate any divisive inclinations inherited from the colonial era and to display full respect for the integrity, sovereignty and identity of African states.

It was gratifying for me to note during our talks that we share similar views, not only with respect to enhancing bilateral relations, but also in what concerns the other issues of common interest, and more particularly the critical situation which is prevailing in the Middle East.

Morocco has always been eager to work in all good faith to foster an environment conducive to trust, understanding and peace in this highly sensitive part of the world. It still considers that a just, lasting and comprehensive peace cannot hold without the Arabs recovering their rights and Israel giving up the logic of force and arrogance, and also without full compliance with the resolutions of international legitimacy.

Accordingly, I whish to reaffirm, in my capacity as chairman of AL Quds (Jerusalem) Committee, that a fair and equitable solution lies in establishing an independent Palestinian state, with Al Qods Al-Shareef, as its capital.

It gives me pleasure to welcome again and hail the distinguished guest of Morocco, His Excellency Mr. John KUFUOR, President of the friendly Republic of Ghana. I invite you, Ladies and Gentlemen, to stand up in honor of His Excellency, wishing him the blessings of good health and much happiness, and hoping for stronger and more prosperous relations between Morocco and Ghana. Wassalamu Alaikum." (MAP)SL/WS/

Previous Stories:
  Ghana's Kufuor Arrives in Morocco   (5/15/2001)
  Ghana's president pays official visit to Morocco May 15-16   (5/14/2001)
  Morocco, Ghana sign memorandum of understanding   (4/20/2001)

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