Morocco, Chile to endeavor for a greater rapprochement
Morocco-Chile, Politics, 12/4/2004

Morocco and Chile have voiced resolve to carry on political consultations and maintain a permanent dialogue for a "greater rapprochement" between the two countries.

This came in a joint communique released, in Santiago Friday, on the occasion of the two-day state visit of Moroccan King Mohammed VI to Chile, fourth leg of a five-nation South American tour.

King Mohammed VI and President Ricardo Lagos Escobar, voiced satisfaction at the "excellent level" of bilateral relations and at measures taken to boost economic cooperation, the release said.

Both leaders whose countries participate in peace keeping forces,namely in Haiti, noted "the convergence of views" on international issues, and underlined the need for "a democratic and equitable world order."

They agreed that famine and poverty reduction, the struggle against terrorism and non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction, should constitute a "major concern for the multilateral system with a view to building a safer world."

The Moroccan monarch and the Chilean President reaffirmed, on the other hand, resolve to endeavour for the achievement of a just, comprehensive and lasting peace in the Middle East, and called for the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian State living side by side with Israel.

They deplored the "persistence of insecurity" in Iraq and wished that stability and security would prevail in the country to pave the way for free elections.

As far as terrorism is concerned, both leaders strongly condemned "under all its forms" this phenomenon which they described as one of the "greatest threats" to peace, stability and development.

On the Sahara dispute opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed separatist movement "Polisario," the Chilean President reiterated "Chile's interest" to carry on its supports to efforts by United nations Secretary General and his special envoy with the aim to the reach a "political, negotiated and final solution accepted by the parties."

The Polisario separatists have been seeking since 1976 to separate the Southern Moroccan provinces, known as the Sahara, from the rest of the Kingdom. Morocco retrieved this territory from former colonial power, Spain under the 1975 Madrid Accords.

The two leaders underlined in conclusion the importance of the Arab-South American Summit scheduled for May in Brazil and which will be prepared by a ministerial meeting in Marrakech (Morocco).

Argentina will be the last leg of the South American tour that King Mohammed VI started ten days ago in Mexico, and which already took him to Mexico, Brazil and now Chile. This tour has been described as "historic" as it is the first in the region by a Moroccan monarch and by an Arab head of state.

Meantime, President Escobar hailed Morocco's attachment to the values of tolerance and co-existence between religions. "Morocco is an open country where the Islamic, Christian and Jewish religions co-exist," said Lagos in a statement to the press following talks with king Mohammed VI of Morocco, who is paying a State visit to Chile part of a five-nation Latin American tour.

"In a world marked by great challenges, Morocco is an example of a country where people can co-exist in perfect harmony," he pointed out, praising the important role Morocco plays in the Arab, African and Islamic scenes.

The Chilean president underscored the importance of the royal visit to Chile, first of an Arab sovereign to the south American country, saying it will consolidate cooperation between the two sides.

In a speech he delivered Thursday at a dinner hosted in the honor of the Moroccan king, president Lagos said the "visit inaugurates a new phase in cooperation" between Morocco and Chile.

Chile, he pointed out, aspires to become a gateway for the Arab states to Latin America and a platform for investments. Lagos deemed the forthcoming Arab-Latin American heads of state summit, due next May in Brazil, an "important opportunity" to consolidate ties between the two regions.

Previous Stories:
  King Mohammed VI holds talks with Chilean president   (12/3/2004)
  Chile supports political solution to Sahara issue, diplomat   (12/2/2004)
  Morocco hails Chile's stance on Sahara issue   (10/23/2004)

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