Felipe Gonzalez hails Morocco's multi-party system as unique in Arab world

Former Spanish Premier Felipe Gonzalez has hailed the Moroccan multi-party system as unique in the Arab world and said Morocco has best assets to be associated to Europe in a cooperation project whose results would be beneficial to both parties.

In a comment published by Spanish daily EL PAIS, Gonzalez underlined the tremendous progress recorded during the past fifteen years in Morocco in matters of political evolution.

He said that the young Moroccan monarch, who is in perfect symbiosis with his young people has many challenges to take up, mainly the consolidation of the multi-party system and the democratic alternation initiated by his father, the upgrading of the technological revolution to secure transition towards an open economy, and modernizing the political and social structures of the country.

Gonzalez also touched on Moroccan-European relations, calling European decision-makers not to ignore this part of the Mediterranean, as such an ignorance may weaken the ongoing efforts for change.

Morocco and its new King are worthy of trust and this trust must be translated into a firm and strong cooperation to help the country take up the challenges, Gonzalez wrote adding that Europeans should learn to know better the Moroccans as they are, with their great culture, their strong identity and their strong desire for modernity.

The stability and progress of this great Maghreban country will condition the situation in all neighboring countries, as they will condition stability in the north, Gonzalez said.