Morocco eager to contribute to success of Africa-Asian initiative, says king Mohammed VI
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/25/2005

Morocco's King Mohammed VI voiced eagerness to "contribute fully and effectively to the success" of the Africa-Asian partnership initiative.

"Having actively participated in the process of building the new African-Asian partnership, which was launched within the framework of the Asian-African Sub-Regional Organizations Conference, Morocco is eager to contribute fully and effectively to the success of this important new initiative," said King Mohammed VI in a message to the summit of Asian and African leaders, which opened in the Indonesian capital on Friday.

The message that was read out by prime minister, Driss Jettou, paid tribute "to the founders of our joint action who, back in 1955, took the initial steps to cement the bonds of solidarity which unite us, and which have enabled us to make concrete achievements over the last fifty years with respect to our peoples' political emancipation, and the ability of our two continents to secure a position in the international arena."

The sovereign also recalled that the Kingdom had outlined at the Durban Conference the African-Asian economic relations, analyzed the obstacles, and made recommendations for establishing an African-Asian partnership on a solid basis. He called, in this respect for "an institutional framework based on sound foundations that include strong political will, involvement of the private sector and of NGOs, as well as greater regional integration." Likewise, went on the royal message, "it should capitalize on the media to consolidate African-Asian friendship."

"We need, in this respect, to develop a suitable legal framework revolving around agreements that promote and protect investment, and eliminate double taxation. Such measures should create the right conditions for a successful African-Asian economic partnership," the king recommended, arguing that regional integration is important as it boosts trade and enhances economic complementarity between the two continents, especially in the current international environment, where strong regional blocs are needed to meet the challenges of globalization.

The king pleaded for "well-built, effective cooperation between African and Asian regional groupings" as a means to help in the promotion of trade and investment, in addition to "the emergence of competitive economic hubs, wielding enough clout to become active partners in negotiation and in shaping policies at international level."

In this context, he reiterated commitment for a strong regional bloc with open relations with the Sahel and northwestern African countries, voicing "readiness to work, both on a bilateral basis and at the Maghreb level." The royal message also cited Morocco's solidarity with African nations, embodied by the cancellation of all debts owed by the least developed African countries, and the lifting of customs barriers to give their exports better access to the Moroccan market.

In the same vein, Morocco has made every effort to use its resources and know-how for the implementation of sustainable human development programs in various fields, such as agriculture, water resource management, health care and executive training, the king went on.

Of the implementation mechanisms for the new African-Asian partnership, the king voiced Morocco's adherence to the idea of a summit conference every four years, and a ministerial meeting every two years, to ensure regular monitoring of the promising partnership.

He further insisted that the cultural dimension is key if the strategy for African-Asian partnership is to gain the desired momentum, explaining that the African and Asian rich heritage "should induce our peoples to learn more about cultural diversity in our continents, so as to enhance understanding and foster closer ties between us."

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