Moroccan key-role in Mideast stressed in Oslo

Moroccan foreign minister Mohamed Benaissa and Andre Azoulay, advisor to the King, who represented Morocco in the Oslo Middle east Summit works, held a series of side-meetings with several delegations.

Contacts were made with president Bill Clinton and secretary of state Madeleine Albright, Palestinian president Yasser Arafat and aides, foreign minister of Jordan Al Khatib and Javier Solana and Angel Moratinos for the European Union. The Moroccan side explained King Mohammed VI's policy and views on the evolution of the peace-process, especially the implementation of commitments made to the Palestinians given the fact that pace, execution and respect of those are key factors for any enduring peace in the region.

The Moroccan delegation also met the king and queen of Norway, premier Bondevik, foreign minister Volleback and the European team which had initiated the Oslo process.

On Tuesday, Benaissa took the floor at the Nobel Room in Oslo City hall to tell participants about Moroccan stand on the way the peace-process is evolving.

The head of Moroccan diplomacy recalled the historic role of the kingdom and listed all initiatives by Morocco insisting on the dire need to restore trust in the region as the only way to generate new peace dynamics. Morocco, he said, enjoys good relations with all parties and has the ability to help restore confidence which will determine the success or the failure of the process underway in its security, economic and political aspects.