Morocco produces daily evidence that civilizations clash is not inexorable, Chirac
Morocco-France, Politics, 10/11/2003

"Morocco, land of tolerance which has, for six thousand years, culled the best of all the cultures that interacted with it, produces each day clear evidence that the clash of cultures is not inexorable," said here French president, Jacques Chirac, who is currently on a 3-day visit to Morocco with his spouse Bernadette.

Chirac, who addressed Moroccan youth on the "Euro-Mediterranean space," in the presence of minister of Habous (endowments) and Islamic affairs, Ahmed Taoufiq, adviser to king Mohammed VI, Abdelaziz Meziane Belfqih, minister of equipment and transport, Karim Ghellab, and secretary of state in charge of family, social action and solidarity, Yasmina Baddou, gave particular emphasis to dialogue among cultures in the region. He called for dialogue among the countries of the region to give a fresh impetus to the partnership launched in Barcelona and help bring back peace to the embattled regions of the world, where the pit of misunderstanding and hatred deepens everyday.

Morocco, located between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean and between the East and West, has been able to model an identity of its own and has given you the best of assets, the French president told the Moroccan youth.

Young Moroccans have a great opportunity, he said. "You are the youth of a country whose young sovereign, resolutely turned to the future, is attentive to your concerns. Of a country that is wisely and courageously deepening its democratic practice, and which has confidence and faith in its values and in the future." Chirac described Morocco as a pioneer of the Euro-Mediterranean adventure, as evidenced by its commitment to set up a free trade zone with its Agadir-declaration partners.

Morocco and France are at the origin of the Barcelona process launched in 1995, and the kingdom, which is at the heart of the Euro-Mediterranean project gives us great hopes, he said.

Morocco is the first recipient and the first user of MEDA aids and European Bank Loans. "This shows that you are on the right path and that your efforts and reforms are starting to yield their fruits," the French president said, adding that the amount of investments the kingdom is attracting evidences its outstanding performance in the region and shows that it enjoys the confidence of European economic operators.

Concerning human rights, Jacques Chirac said "Morocco gives the good example with bold decisions and measures that I can only support." The recent conclusion of the national debate on women's status assures me that "you will surprise us with significant breakthroughs in the area."

My message to the Moroccan people is, first and foremost, a message of hope and confidence in the historical reforms carried out by your sovereign, and which will enable Morocco, I believe, to strike a balance between modernity and tradition, and to anchor solidly the spirit of progress in your country," Chirac told Moroccan citizens.

Moroccan-Algerian reconciliation is the key to economic integration in the Maghreban region, which can only benefit its people, Chirac said, voicing conviction that "a patient dialogue will make it possible to lower all barriers."

The French President wished that the Maghreb countries turn the page of discord and concentrate more determinately on the sole significant problem of fighting poverty and exclusion, and reinforcing the rule of law. The French President stated that with the launching of the "new neighborliness" policy, an initiative which proposes to define an action plan matched with increased aid to EU's immediate neighbors, Morocco will be favored to benefit from an advanced status of "less than membership, more than partnership" according to the Barcelona Process.

Chirac pointed out that according to the Morocco-EU partnership agreement, future efforts will focus on three points: liberalizing agriculture and services and facilitating exchanges. Many other steps "will open the way to Morocco's progressive integration in the Enlarged European Market. This relationship is part of the larger framework of the Euro-Med free trade zone. The French head of state finally called the countries leaders of the two Mediterranean shores to "work together to give a new breath to the Euro-Mediterranean project and make it progress in all dimensions to serve peace, cooperation and our youth."

Previous Stories:
  French president voices 'total support' to Morocco's stand on the Sahara   (10/10/2003)
  Chirac: best weapons against fanaticism are education, jobs and hope   (10/10/2003)
  French president: Morocco's choices will lead to economic development, social progress   (10/9/2003)

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