King Mohammed VI: Morocco pins great hope on the Moroccan-Belgian partnership
Morocco-Belgium, Politics, 10/6/2004

Morocco pins great hope on Moroccan-Belgian partnership for it is likely to generate promising initiatives of the two countries' civil societies with regard to integration, mediation and the promotion of the values and causes the two countries share, said King Mohammed VI of Morocco.

In an address delivered on the occasion of an official dinner hosted Tuesday By Mohammed VI in the honor of King Albert II and Queen Paola of the Belgians, the sovereign expressed satisfaction at the friendship and cooperation relations between Morocco and Belgium in many areas. "A cooperation in which Belgium resolutely committed by contributing in the development efforts of the kingdom of Morocco," the sovereign said.

King Mohammed VI insisted on the need "to give fresh impetus to our cooperation relations so that they develop into a strategic partnership," highlighting the efforts exerted by King Albert and the Belgian Royal family to enhance economic and trade relations between the two countries.

Meantime, Morocco is "an important leader in the Mediterranean, Africa and the Islamic world" and plays a "key role" in the region, said visiting King Albert in an address at the official dinner.

The Belgian king who arrived Tuesday in Morocco in an official visit, hailed relations between the two countries that will celebrate next year the 40th anniversary of the start of their bilateral cooperation.

"Relations between the two kingdoms are rich and intense," said King Albert II, who underscored the contribution of the Moroccan community living in Belgium to the economic and cultural life in the European country.

"I am happy at the organization, here in Morocco, of a year devoted to Belgium. This event will include various activities, both cultural and economic," he said. The Belgian monarch noted that the seminar, to be held on Wednesday, at the initiative of Moroccan and Belgian Unions, will enable the identification of new partnership fields.

He pointed out that cooperation between the two countries is "particularly intense in the region of Souss (South-West) where important programs have been implemented in the water sector."

Training, public health and environment are also important realms of cooperation between the two countries, he said. The king also recalled his country's solidarity with Morocco following the earthquake that hit the northern region of Al Hoceima last February.

King Albert II hailed the reforms conducted in the North African country, particularly the amendment of the Family Law (known as the Mudawana) that granted more rights to Moroccan women and consolidated their status in society.

Morocco, "an example of tolerance and progress," was cowardly hit on 16 May 2003, by groups aiming to destroy its basic values," deplored the King, stressing the need to fight terrorism.

King Albert II, accompanied by his spouse Queen Paola, arrived Tuesday morning in Morocco on an official visit. The Belgian monarch held talks earlier with King Mohammed VI and Prime Minister Driss Jettou.

Previous Stories:
  Belgium to help in building 200 houses in quake-stricken al Hoceima   (3/11/2004)
  King Mohammed meets Belgian foreign minister   (3/10/2004)
  Belgian defense minister due in Morocco   (1/14/2004)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search