The telephone calls held by HM King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, with several GCC leaders following the abject Iranian aggression, are the highest expression of Morocco’s unwavering and constant brotherly solidarity with these States, MFA Nasser Bourita stated on Thursday.
Speaking at the 8th Morocco-GCC Joint Ministerial Meeting, held via videoconference, MFA Bourita reaffirmed Morocco’s total support and strong backing for its sisterly GCC countries in the face of the heinous, condemned, and unjustified Iranian aggression they have endured, standing with them in all measures taken to defend their sovereignty, preserve their security, and ensure the safety of their citizens and residents.
He added that this also embodies what His Majesty the King previously expressed in His speech at the Morocco-Gulf Summit on April 20, 2016, where He emphasized that “despite the geographical distance, we are bound by solid relations that, in addition to language, religion and civilization, include a commitment to the same values and principles and the same constructive policies. We are also facing the same challenges and threats, particularly with regard to security.”
In this regard, MFA Bourita emphasized that “the challenges facing our region today require us to elevate our strategic partnership to a higher level of complementarity,” adding that national security is no longer limited to the military dimension alone, but now includes economic and social resilience in the face of crises, and securing the basic needs of “our peoples in the most difficult circumstances.”
He reiterated the Kingdom’s determination, in line with the High Guidelines of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, to move forward with its strategic partnership with the GCC countries toward broader horizons, “inspired by the guidelines of our leaders” on the basis of stable values and pillars, to keep pace with modern developments “in service of our countries’ interests and our peoples’ aspirations for development, progress, and prosperity.”
He highlighted that “the fundamental pillars of our strategic partnership are built on solidarity and mutual assistance between the Kingdom of Morocco and its sisterly GCC states, as well as on the harmony of our positions regarding numerous regional and international issues.”
MFA Bourita urged the necessity of closing ranks and ensuring political and economic readiness for the post-crisis world, in order to be strongly present in shaping new “equations.”
In this regard, the Minister emphasized the need to translate the directives of the Morocco-Gulf Summit, held in Saudi Arabia on April 20, 2016, into concrete programs across various fields, taking into account the significant development seen in Morocco and the Gulf countries thanks to ambitious development models aimed at adapting to and benefiting from the economic and technological transformations the world is undergoing.
He praised the decision to extend the joint action plan to cover the 2025-2030 period, as well as what was adopted regarding the focus of cooperation over the next two years.
MFA Bourita stressed the need for greater integration of private economic actors from both sides and the encouragement of communication between them, as well as the active engagement of sovereign wealth funds, particularly in the areas of investment and the mobility of businesspeople.
Additionally, the Foreign Minister once again lauded the unwavering support provided by the sisterly Gulf states to the Kingdom of Morocco regarding the issue of its territorial integrity.
He emphasized that a just settlement of the Palestinian people’s cause is key to security and peace in the region, highlighting that HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, has consistently called for the concerted international and regional efforts to reach a just and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause within the framework of the two-state solution, enabling the Palestinian people to attain their legitimate rights, foremost among which is their right to establish their independent state on the borders of June 4, 1967, with East Al-Quds as its capital.
