King Mohammed lauds quality of Morocco-Senegal relations
Morocco-Senegal, Politics, 5/23/2001

Morocco's King Mohammed VI lauded in Dakar on Tuesday the quality of Moroccan-Senegalese cooperation, regulated by a large legal framework that encompasses several fields.

Talking at a dinner banquet hosted in his honor by Senegalese president Abdoulaye Wade on the first day of the king's official visit to Senegal, the sovereign stressed "bilateral cooperation, governed by a large legal framework that encompasses several fields, has been witnessing for some months a remarkable quality progress."

He also praised Moroccan participation in economic and social development projects in Senegal, giving to bilateral partnership its full meaning and confirming the exceptional dimension of cooperation. After he recalled the series of ambitious projects under way in the two countries, mainly in telecom, air transport, electric power, banking, maritime transport, airports and roads, the sovereign also praised Senegal's contribution to the integration process of the west African sub-region, through the Economic Community of West African States and the West African Economic and Monetary Union with which Morocco will shortly sign a trade and investment agreement.

King Mohammed VI paid tribute to the Senegalese president, architect of the Omega plan, for his tireless work to achieve African integration. The sovereign also warned against the deterioration of the situation in Africa if the continent's indebtedness is not alleviated by means of efficient mechanisms and a concerted and brave policy and by converting debts into investments.

King Mohammed VI expressed worries at the situation in the Middle East, calling the international community to act rapidly to make Israel abide by the United Nations resolutions and international legality, withdraw from the Arab territories it is occupying and respect the Palestinian people's legitimate rights to have an independent state with Al Quds as capital.

The situation in the Middle East is a source of worry for all of us, due to the raids against countries in the region and the flare of violence against unarmed civilians, King Mohammed VI deplored.

The Senegalese president said speeking of the king your openness combines to acute human qualities that earned you the title of "King of the poor" who relieves children, the poorest, and handicapped persons through several actions, mainly the Mohammed V foundation.

Wade also paid tribute to the sovereign's action to consolidate the rule of law, promote human rights and the free democracy practice and the sovereign's decision to cancel the debts of Africa's poorest countries, announced at the Europe-Africa summit held in April 2000 in Cairo.

At the internal level, the Senegalese president recalled the ongoing projects in Morocco to develop infrastructures, modernize agriculture, health services and youth training. He also compared these endeavors to the Omega plan he is promoting for Africa's development and to which king Mohammed VI expressed support.

Of bilateral relations, Wade said they have significantly progressed to encompass varied sectors: banking, services, land and maritime transports, agriculture, education, infrastructure, housing, telecom and trade.

He stated further that his country is closely following evolutions in the Sahara issue and shares with Morocco principles of territorial integrity and national sovereignty.

Wade, who is currently chairing the UN committee for the exercise of the Palestinian people inalienable rights, then cited King Mohammed VI's chairmanship of Al-Quds committee and expressed deep worries at the escalation of violence in the West Bank and Gaza, due to Israel's bellicose policy, urging the international community to urgently act to end the spiral of violence and re-launch the peace process.

Previous Stories:
  Senegalese president underscores importance of King Mohammed's visit   (5/22/2001)
  King Mohammed starts Tuesday official visit to Senegal   (5/21/2001)
  King Mohammed sends Senegalese president message over Omega plan   (5/21/2001)

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