Call for bold initiatives to create an integrated Arab economic zone, King

Morocco's King Mohammed VI has appealed to Arab states to adopt a new approach, and devise bold and concrete initiatives to create an integrated Arab economic zone.

"It is incumbent upon us to adopt a new approach, and devise bold and concrete initiatives to create an integrated Arab economic zone, which is likely to enable us to mobilize all our resources to achieve Arab sustainable development," King Mohammed VI said in a speech before the opening session of the 14th Arab summit held in Amman March 27-28.

The sovereign explained that "this approach, which has already been adopted by a number of countries from the South, although they are not united by as many strong ties as those binding us together, is liable to boost the hopes of Arab peoples and their expectations about the future." "It is also likely to make them feel that we share all their concerns and preoccupations about day to day life," he insisted.

"However, reaching the position we aspire to in the world today involves, as pointed out by Morocco at the Amman Summit, the need to boost the economy in our respective countries and to improve the living conditions for our peoples, and also to be aware of the demands arising from the swift international changes which are underway," King Mohammed VI said, deploring the fact that seemingly, Arab countries have not yet identified the most efficient method to get beyond the stage of mere hopes and wishes.

"All steps taken so far as part of the traditional mechanisms of the Arab Joint Action have proved to be short of meeting our expectations. Therefore, it is incumbent upon us to adopt a new approach, and devise bold and concrete initiatives to create an integrated Arab economic zone, which is likely to enable us to mobilize all our resources to achieve Arab sustainable development," king Mohammed VI said.