Syrian - Moroccan relations, progressing throughout history
Syria-Morocco, Politics, 6/1/2002

Syrian- Moroccan relations are deeply rooted in history. One who seeks to trace back the beginning of these relations will find it difficult to catch the starting point. Should he start with the Arab migration waves from the Arab peninsula when Syria was the main station to head for the Arab Maghreb ? or from the Phoenicians on the Syrian coasts, with their trade and seafarers travels to the Arab Maghreb states or rather from the Islamic conquests which were launched from Damascus, then,the capital of the Islamic Empire, stretched from the Arab Orient to the Occident and beyond.

Apart from the abundant rich history linking the two countries, at present both Syria and Morocco organically affiliate to the same Arab nation and have the same traditions, costumes and common Arab oneness.

Links between Syria and Morocco inspired its spirit from the deeply rooted Arab and Islamic history. A visitor to old Damascus quarters will see and hear about "al- Maghareba" quarters. Syria was and is still the lap of the Arab Maghreb expatriates who fled escaping the repression and acts of killing conducted by foreign occupation forces of the Arab Maghreb states. Those Arab Maghreb people were given the same treatment like native Syrians and this stemmed from Syria's belief that it is the homeland of all Arabs. For their turn, the Arab Maghreb people considered Syria as their homeland, defended her and sacrificed themselves for defending her sovereignty.

Following the launching of the Correctionist Movement in Syria in 1970 led by the late President Hafez al-Assad, Syrian- Moroccan relations witnessed great developments, thanks to the priority given by the Syrian leadership to strengthening inter- Arab relations as a means to invest Arab potentials to foiling the Zionist project and to work in order to have the Palestinian question, the central cause for all Arabs.

As a result of these developments "the Moroccan contingent" took part in the October liberation of war 1973 carried out by the Syrian and Egyptian army against the Israeli occupation forces and the blood of the Syrian soldiers mixed with the blood of the Moroccan soldiers who bravely fought against the Israeli forces in the occupied Syrian Golan heights.

Based on Syria's commitment to pan- Arab national stances, Syria has worked with Morocco and other Arab states in order to unify stances at international conferences and strengthening the role played by the Arab League as well as strengthening the performance of the Organization of the Islamic Conference and the Non- aligned movement and the Jerusalem committee chaired by Morocco as well as investing international forums to defend the central Arab cause of Palestine.

The leaders in both Syria and Morocco have been careful to take part in all conferences conducted by these organizations and meetings of the UN so as to make the Arab voice heard.

The two states, Syria and Morocco have worked for settling all inter- Arab disputes in order to preserve the Arab unity and on the ground of their joint commitment to strengthen Arab solidarity in confrontation of challenges facing the Arab nation.

The successful visit made by President Bashar al-Assad to Morocco in April 2001 was another important turning point and an occasion to enhance fraternal ties between Syria and Morocco and foster these relations to meet the ambitions of the two leaders to maintain their countries' prosperity and to defend the just Arab causes, foremost being the cause of Palestine and liberating other occupied Arab territories.

Among the results of President Bashar al-Assad's visit to Morocco was the formation of the Syrian- Moroccan joint higher committee which met in Damascus in October 2001 to strengthen ties of cooperation between the two states in all walks of life and to unify their vision towards events taking place in the world.

During President al-Assad's visit to Morocco and the meeting of the joint Syrian- Moroccan higher committee in Damascus under the chairmanship of the two states' prime ministers, Syria and Morocco expressed their desire to revitalize Arab solidarity in challenge of onslaughts hatched against the Arab nation. They also voiced their commitment to just and comprehensive peace in the Middle East region, according to international legitimacy resolutions and the land for peace formula, for the restoration of all occupied Arab lands until June 4, 1967 border lines and attaining the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the foundation of the independent Palestinian state with holy Jerusalem as a capital.

The two states condemned the Israeli oppressive acts in the occupied Arab territories. They called for making a distinction between terrorism and the legitimate struggle of people against foreign occupation. Syria and Morocco have also expressed their cling to the spirit of peace and tolerance advocated in Islam and condemned all forms of racism practices conducted against Arabs and Muslims through holding them responsible for the consequences of the terrorist attacks took place in the USA in September 11, 2001. The two states also called for avoiding matters provoking conflicts among religions and civilizations and to settle conflicts and disputes, arising in this regard, peacefully.

Both countries support the Intifada mounted by the Palestinian people and provide all material and morale support, altogether for maintaining Arab security.

The visit of his Majesty King Muhammad VI to Damascus is greatly welcomed. It is an important occasion to hold consultations and exchange views with President Bashar al-Assad amid critical conditions the Arab nations undergoes.

Previous Stories:
  Rabat, Damascus determined to up ties   (5/31/2002)
  Moroccan health minister meets assistant SG of Baath party   (5/30/2002)
  Syria rejects any position hostile to Morocco's territorial integrity   (5/22/2002)

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