Morocco has always responded positively to UN resolutions on Sahara, king

Morocco has always responded quickly and positively to the UN Security Council resolutions on the Sahara as well as to the proposals by the UN secretary general or his personal representative, in a bid to reach a political solution to the issue, said King Mohammed VI in the throne speech he delivered this Monday from Tangiers on the occasion of the second anniversary of his enthronement.

"In fulfilling the mission bestowed on us as the guardian of the kingdom's sovereignty and warrant of its territorial integrity, we have always been keen on giving a quick and positive response to the resolutions of the Security Council and to the moves and proposals (on the Sahara issue) made by the UN Secretary General and his personal representative," said the sovereign adding that Morocco started with them "a constructive dialogue, in a bid to reach a political solution for this conflict artificially kindled around the Moroccan identity of our Sahara."

The United Nations is trying to settle the issue of the Sahara --a former Spanish colony retrieved by Morocco in 1975 under the Madrid accords, but whose independence is claimed by a separatist movement, the polisario.

The solution sought, King Mohammed VI said, must fall in the frame of regionalization and democracy, in the largest meaning of the words, and must be backed by an indefectible adhesion to unchangeable constants, namely unanimity, sovereignty, national unity, and territorial integrity of the Kingdom.

The sovereign stated further that "being convinced of the fairness of our cause, we have put the development of the southern provinces on top of our concerns." "We have issued high instructions to our government so that all measures be taken to guarantee a decent life to our faithful citizens in our provinces of the south," King Mohammed VI said.

Touching on the Kingdom's role at the regional and international scale, King Mohammed VI underlined the country's democratic radiance as a dynamic regional and international pole, a heeded partner of big powers, a defender of developing countries' fair causes and a radiance center of exemplary stability.

He voiced keenness to see to it that Moroccan diplomacy remains an influential actor within international organizations, tirelessly working to fulfil the lofty goals pursued by these organizations to set up a new world order, a fair order where solidarity, peace and entente would prevail. Morocco will also see to the stability of its environment and to the respect of commitments binding it to its brethren and partners, the sovereign said.