Lukewarm Moroccan-Saudi relations, unfounded allegations, ambassador

Lukewarm diplomatic relations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia, evoked by some Moroccan newspapers, is simply an "unfounded allegation," said Saudi ambassador to Morocco, Mohamed Ben Abderrahmane Al Bichr.

Relations between Morocco and Saudi Arabia are and will remain unshakable and unwavering," stressed the diplomat in an interview published Monday by "La Gazette du Maroc," he noted, stressing that nothing would damage or muddle relations between the two states "neither before nor after 11 September."

Contacts between Moroccan and Saudi officials "have never lost their intensity, which made the two parties' viewpoints over some Arab and international issues compatible," said Bichr.

He added that ties between King Mohammed VI of Morocco and King Fahd of Saudi Arabia and Crown Prince Abdallah Ben Abdelaziz played an important role in the development of relations between the two states.

On economic exchanges, he said even though they are below aspirations, they are constantly developing, recalling that Morocco remains one the favorite destinations of Saudi investors.

Several commissions, including the Moroccan-Saudi High Commission, are working actively to remove obstacles hindering investment, he said.

"Morocco has several assets (É) as well as a qualified work power," but what is currently lacking is "sufficient financial flows and the good management of investments that profit to the two sides," he explained.