YouSaid · the spoken record

Mohamed Benaissa

lines on the record: 128
first: 1999-09-24
most recent: 2007-09-24
sittings or episodes: 6
sources: un-general-debate

Every line below is reproduced as it was said and linked to the record it came from. Nothing here is summarised or generated. Directory · Search · Corrections

“All these challenges call for multilateral institutions that are able to establish effective multilateral cooperation and coordination among States to promote coherence and synergy among the various national and regional initiatives. Hence the crucial importance of a stronger United Nations that enjoys the confidence and commitment of its Member States and their support in order to make a success of its reform programme. The Organization also needs to strengthen its credibility in order to harmonize its agenda with our crucial priorities and with the need to ensure a better future for humanity within the framework of more balanced, interdependent and tolerant international relations.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The Kingdom of Morocco follows with great concern the difficult situation in the brotherly country of Iraq and calls upon the various sects and factions to allow the virtues of wisdom and clear-sightedness to prevail, through serious dialogue and national reconciliation with the aim of preserving the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Iraq and in order to put an end to the cycle of violence threatening its stability, security and its unity. Finally, I wish to recall that the world is undergoing considerable changes and is confronted with numerous serious and global challenges, such as climate change, which is the main topic of this annual session.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Moreover, the Kingdom of Morocco, which chairs the Al-Quds Committee in the person of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, insists once more on the need to respect the special status of Jerusalem and to preserve its cultural and spiritual identity. In that respect, His Majesty King Mohammed VI has endeavoured to draw the attention of the United Nations and influential actors to the illegal, invalid archaeological excavations around the Al-Aqsa Mosque and to obtain their good offices so as to put an end to them.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“That is a strategic choice and reflects the sincere will of the Arab States to search for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East a peace that guarantees the national rights of the Palestinian people, including the right to establish an independent State, with Al-Quds Al-Sharif as its capital, and withdrawal from occupied Arab territories in Syria and Lebanon, in order to allow the States and peoples of the region to live in peace and security. Morocco is optimistic about the positive results that will ensure from the international conference on Middle East peace to be held in the United States before the end of this year.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The impact of such activities will go beyond the region and will affect European, Mediterranean and West African countries as well. The difficult circumstances in the Middle East require strengthened coordinated efforts in order to put an end to a lengthy and bitter conflict that has caused great suffering for the people of the region for more than half a century. The Kingdom of Morocco, which follows closely all those developments, affirms once again from this rostrum the pressing need to reactivate the peace process in the Middle East according to a comprehensive approach and on the basis of agreements signed by the parties, the Road Map and the Arab Peace Initiative.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The Kingdom of Morocco, which took part in those negotiations in good faith and with an open and constructive attitude, reiterates its commitment to advance the process in order to reach a final solution to the dispute within the framework of its national sovereignty and territorial integrity as well as on the basis of the autonomy plan, as the ultimate objective of the negotiation process and as an open, flexible and indivisible offer. The solution to this regional dispute in the light of the Moroccan plan would lead to the creation of a stable regional security order, based on cooperation between the States of the region, which would deal with the serious security challenges of the region, including terrorism, human trafficking and other clandestine activities.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“It is the result of wide-ranging international consultations and in-depth deliberations involving inhabitants of the region through the Royal Advisory Council for Saharan Affairs. In the light of that positive dynamic, the Security Council adopted resolution 1754 (2007), which represented a departure from former approaches in the treatment of the issue, since it called for negotiations while taking into account recent developments, in particular the Moroccan plan and the efforts of the Kingdom which the Security Council has recognized as serious and credible.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“This turning point results from the dynamic created by the Moroccan autonomy plan for Moroccan Shara, a plan which has opened promising perspectives for overcoming the stalemate on this issue at the United Nations. It offers the fundamental elements necessary for a realistic, applicable, definitive and final political solution to a regional dispute that has hindered the development of a strong and homogeneous Maghreb that interacts with its geopolitical and geostrategic environment. The Moroccan autonomy plan, which since 2004 has answered the calls by the Security Council for the need to find a political solution to that dispute, is in conformity with the provisions of international law.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Morocco expresses the hope that the Secretary- General’s next report on the causes of conflicts and the promotion of peace and sustainable development in Africa will contain practical recommendations and a clear political vision aimed at the reinforcement of stability, peace and security on the African continent, the consolidation of democracy and human rights, respect for the sovereignty and territorial integrity of African States, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with the principle of good neighbourliness. The Moroccan Sahara issue, one of the longest regional disputes in Africa, is at a historical turning point as a result of the launching of the Manhassett negotiations between the parties to the dispute, held under United Nations auspices.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“In this regard, the Rabat Declaration on human development and the plan of action and recommendations of the Conference, constitute a framework of reference for the holding next year of a high-level meeting on Africa and development, as proposed by Morocco. Likewise, the conclusions of the Rabat Conference could contribute significantly to the work of the World Millennium Development Goals summit to be held next year in response to a proposal made by the United Kingdom Prime Minister.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“These relations are based on the principles of mutual respect, active solidarity, fruitful cooperation and constructive involvement in the regional initiatives and international strategies related to the continent. Besides participating in development programmes aimed at effectively revitalizing South- South cooperation and undertaking numerous solidarity activities with African States victims of natural disasters, the Kingdom of Morocco hosted the first African Conference on Human Development, held in April 2007 in Rabat in cooperation with the United Nations Development Programme. The Conference created an opportunity to establish a complementary strategy to meet the particular needs of Africa in the context of achieving the Millennium Development Goals.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Accordingly, the Kingdom of Morocco proposes the organization next year of a high-level meeting to examine this issue in all its aspects, with a view to adopting recommendations for the development of new norms and work arrangements that will ensure the success of peacekeeping operations. Despite its efforts, Africa still faces major security challenges and significant difficulties in improving the health and living conditions of its citizens. Given its deep-rooted African identity and its profound historical, human and cultural ties with African States, the Kingdom of Morocco has, as directed by His Majesty the King, made its relations with the continent one of the priorities of its foreign policy.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Thanks to their sacrifice and determination to uphold the principles of the United Nations, the Royal Armed Forces, along with the other peacekeeping troops, helped the United Nations to win the Nobel Peace prize. In view of its cumulative experience and field expertise, the Kingdom of Morocco believes that it is high time to examine ways and means of reinforcing the legal basis and organizational framework of peacekeeping operations, while taking into consideration the changes undergone by this United Nations mechanism, as well as the need for improvement of the deployment conditions and work arrangements of its personnel.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Thanks to this mechanism, the United Nations has displayed a great capacity to adapt to change and has been able to participate in a direct and effective manner in the reinforcement of international peace. The importance of peacekeeping operations has increased with the evolution of the traditional concept and the accumulation of tasks, which are no longer limited to peacekeeping per se. These tasks have also broadened in scope to encompass assistance to States undergoing reconstruction or engaged in the implementation of transitional justice, the consolidation of human rights, or good governance. In this respect, the Kingdom of Morocco has been a pioneer in United Nations peacekeeping efforts, sending since 1960 more than 50,000 Blue Helmets to 13 peacekeeping operations across four continents.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“In this regard, the Kingdom of Morocco proposed last March, in the Human Rights Council, the adoption of a universal declaration on training and education in the culture of human rights, whose objective would be to consolidate and reinforce the values, principles and concepts of human rights by all international social components, so that they become a daily concern and a responsible practice. Morocco hopes that this proposal will be supported by all States, so that it may constitute a valuable contribution to the celebration of the sixtieth anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human rights. Peacekeeping operations are a key element of the activities of the United Nations, embodying the collective security principle that is one of the pillars of the United Nations Charter.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“The Kingdom of Morocco has embarked, under His Majesty’s enlightened leadership, on a thorough and ambitious process of political openness, human development and social modernization. In parallel, it is willing to participate in constructive international efforts aimed at establishing world consensus on human rights concepts, so that they no longer constitute a source of conflict and confrontation but are rather a motive for cooperation and consultation. Those concepts should not remain mere universal values but should become a reality, taking into consideration the diversity and indivisibility of human rights.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“To this end, the international community is invited, through the United Nations, to take concrete measures to implement the provisions of this Declaration and give effect to confirm concretely its political and legal values. In that connection, His Majesty King Mohammed VI stated in a royal address on 9 December 1999 that among the appropriate means of ensuring respect for human rights was the commitment to the relevant international covenants and the setting up of mechanisms for respecting and safeguarding these rights. He added that those legal and institutional instruments were, however, insufficient if respect for human rights was not part of standard conduct at all levels, or if, in other words, it did not become a shared culture.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“These events are the General Assembly’s adoption in 1948 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights and the deployment of the first United Nations peacekeeping operation in that same year. In this context, it is appropriate to pause and take stock of what has been done in these two vital areas, and to outline the work objectives of our Organization in order to develop and optimize our common assets in a complex international melieu. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights laid the foundations of international consensus regarding universal values and subsequently contributed to international efforts for the codification, protection and respect of basic cultural, social, economic and political rights.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“Ban Ki-moon, I should like to reaffirm, on behalf of the Kingdom of Morocco, our full confidence in and support for his tireless efforts and good offices aimed at enabling the United Nations to attain its lofty objectives and to fulfil the aspirations of all nations. It is our hope that, at the dawn of the third millennium, a more just and effective world system can emerge, enabling nations to achieve collective peace and sustainable development. Our session takes place at the eve of the celebration by the United Nations of the sixtieth anniversary of two important historical events that have marked its activities, forged its identity and proved its added value and its outstanding contribution to strengthening international cooperation, protecting human dignity and consolidating world peace and security.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“I should like at the outset to express heartfelt congratulations to you, Sir, on your election as President of the General Assembly at its present session, as well as my best wishes for every success during your tenure. I also wish to thank Her Excellency Sheikha Haya Rashed Al-Khalifa for her constructive and tireless efforts during her remarkable and fruitful presidency at the previous session, which was a source of pride for her country, Bahrain, and for the international community. As this is the first session of the General Assembly under our newly appointed Secretary- General, Mr.”
2007-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 62 (2007)
“We support diversity and unity of visions and goals as contributions to meeting the challenges of the new millennium.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Moreover, the international community must help the Iraqi people to overcome the ongoing crisis by creating the conditions necessary for peace and stability. Reforming the United Nations to enable it to meet the challenges of the twenty-first century, restructuring its organs and bodies and updating their mandates will require not only that its working methods be improved, but also that the Organization regain its natural and leading role as a framework for constructive dialogue and as a forum for creative interaction among the various intellectual currents and religious and cultural trends. In that context, Morocco commends the Secretary-General for his decision to appoint a High- level Group for the Alliance of Civilizations and to establish a new cultural world order based on tolerance and coexistence.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, has reaffirmed his resolve to continue to actively pursue and support all peace efforts and to work to preserve the Arab and Islamic identity of Al-Quds Al-Sharif and its status as a place of coexistence and tolerance among the three revealed religions. With regard to the situation in the brotherly State of Iraq, the Kingdom of Morocco, although appreciating highly the continuous and intensive efforts to re-establish stability, peace and reconstruction in Iraq, and although following the recent political progress with great interest, affirms that the participation of all constituents of Iraqi society is needed to build the democratic institutions of the new Iraqi State and to preserve its national unity.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Kingdom of Morocco welcomed the withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and considers it an important and positive decision on the path towards full implementation of the road map. Morocco, which has always striven tirelessly and effectively to keep open the channels of communication and dialogue among the peoples of the Middle East, reaffirms its active commitment to promoting a peaceful solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict that will lead to the establishment of a final, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East through the reactivation of the road map, the guaranteed establishment of a free Palestinian State with Al-Quds as its capital, and the withdrawal of Israel from the occupied Syrian and Lebanese territories.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In addition, the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees should be allowed to undertake a fair and 5 free census of Moroccan citizens being held in the Tindouf camps in Algeria, who should be freed and allowed to exercise their right to return to their homeland. The Arab region, which continues to experience recurrent crises as well as new ones equally violent and fierce, looks to the Organization and to other international and regional actors for their assistance in solving them. In that regard, we hope that the ray of optimism that shone recently in the Middle East, prompting us to engage in cautious optimism, will be supported by serious and brave measures that will revive the peace process and put it back on track.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“His Majesty King Mohammed VI, in his most recent Throne Day speech, affirmed Morocco’s willingness “to engage in serious negotiations with a view to reaching a final solution that would win United Nations support and grant the inhabitants of the southern provinces autonomy within the sovereignty of the Kingdom and its territorial and national integrity”. Pending the involvement of all parties in that negotiation process, it remains urgent to follow up on the humanitarian aspect of the problem by disclosing the fate of all Moroccan missing persons and prisoners. The International Committee of the Red Cross was unable to establish contacts with those persons or to discover their place of detention.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In this context, Morocco would like to reaffirm its steadfast commitment to working closely with the Secretary- General and his Personal Envoy and Special Representative, as well as with all parties concerned, in order to break the current stalemate and reach a negotiated political solution to the artificial conflict with respect to the Moroccan Sahara. Because of its geostrategic nature, that conflict between two brotherly neighbouring countries, Morocco and Algeria, requires the involvement of our brethren in Algeria in a serious and constructive dialogue with a view to putting an end to it once and for all.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Kingdom of Morocco therefore believes that the reactivation of the Maghreb Arab Union is a political imperative, an economic necessity and a historical reality that responds to the aspirations of the peoples of the region and reflects the expectations of our partners, especially those in the Mediterranean region, with whom we are striving to reinforce our partnership as we prepare to celebrate the tenth anniversary of the Barcelona process. For those reasons, Morocco is working to reactivate the Union’s machinery and to remove any obstacles that might hinder its relaunching on a sound, constructive and meaningful basis.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I would also like to recall that His Majesty King Mohammed VI was among the first to initiate such a move. During the first European Union-Africa Summit, which was held in Cairo, His Majesty announced the cancellation of the debt of least developed African countries, opened Morocco’s market to their products and granted them customs exemptions. The success of Africa’s economic take-off remains contingent upon the success of regional integration throughout the continent.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Thus, on more than one occasion, the Kingdom of Morocco has voiced full support for the New Partnership for Africa’s Development as an integrated and comprehensive action plan designed to solve the persistent economic and social problems that have plagued our continent since the era of independence. On the other hand, Morocco has always shown its readiness to contribute to conflict resolution in Africa by bringing together belligerent parties and by strengthening the ties of brotherhood and good neighbourliness among the States of western Africa, as well as through the participation of the Royal Armed Forces of Morocco in peacekeeping operations conducted under the auspices of the United Nations in Africa. The Kingdom of Morocco welcomes the decision by the Group of Eight to cancel the debt of least developed African countries.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“In this regard, African countries acknowledge that they must rely, first and foremost, on their own human and material resources. However, Africa’s economic take-off can be achieved only through an efficient and realistic partnership involving all the parties concerned, including donor countries and international and regional organizations. That partnership must be founded on an integrated and sustained process that benefits the existing North- South and South-South cooperation mechanisms. Convinced of the necessity to collectively combat the ills that are besetting our African continent, Morocco has always taken the lead in supporting and encouraging any initiative aimed at freeing the African peoples from their stark predicament.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The Kingdom of Morocco, which has itself been subjected to the scourge of terrorism, has participated 4 in efforts to combat it through the elaboration of legal instruments and practical arrangements at the national, regional and international levels. During this session, the Kingdom of Morocco will continue to contribute to efforts to adopt a comprehensive convention against terrorism, thereby complementing its participation in the elaboration of the International Convention for the Suppression of Acts of Nuclear Terrorism. As for development challenges, our African continent is the only region that will not be able to achieve the MDGs within the specified time frame unless the international community provides full support.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“The end of the era of ideological division and the rise of a new world order has called the attention of the international community to new challenges posed by the scourges of terrorism, hunger, poverty, backwardness, illiteracy and pandemic disease, as well as the increasing number of refugees fleeing from the disasters of war and destruction and the growing number of ethnic, tribal and religious conflicts and separatist trends. Since the events of 11 September 2001, the international community has grown increasingly aware of the threat of terrorism and of the need to combat it by all available means and to address its root causes and underlying motives.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Many of these are set out in the National Initiative for Human Development, announced by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on 18 May. That initiative reflects Morocco’s willingness to create a development model based on a successful association of modernity, democratization and economic openness. That model is also aimed at achieving a sustained improvement in our human development index, within a spirit of collective participation, solidarity, equal opportunity, the dissemination of knowledge and the provision of basic social services.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“Although it failed to meet our expectations, the summit outcome document nevertheless reiterated our international commitments; it paves the way for strengthening the role and effectiveness of the Organization and adapting it to meet the new challenges posed by global developments. The Kingdom of Morocco would like to reaffirm its readiness to contribute to the implementation of the recommendations of the summit and to participate in the international effort to achieve the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). My country has undertaken a number of proactive national initiatives relating to ensuring respect for human rights and the establishment of an integrated and modern society in which women play an active role in development.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I should also like to pay tribute to the Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, for his commendable efforts to improve the structure of the Organization and enhance its working methods and effectiveness. Last week’s summit meeting was a key event in the history of the United Nations and marked a turning point in the Organization’s activities, not just because of the impressive number of very distinguished participants, but also because of the importance of the outcome document (resolution 60/1), which was adopted as a result of the contribution of all members. In this regard, the Kingdom of Morocco supports the proposals submitted by the Secretary-General with a view to ensuring follow-up of the outcomes of the various international conferences on development issues.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“I should like to begin by congratulating Ambassador Jan Eliasson, on behalf of the delegation of Morocco, on his election to the presidency of the General Assembly at this historic session and by wishing him success in his noble task. I should also like to express to his predecessor, His Excellency Mr. Jean Ping, Foreign Minister of the brotherly State of Gabon, our sincere thanks and profound appreciation for his efforts as President of the General Assembly during the fifty- ninth session and for the patience and dedication that he showed in his excellent conduct of the preparatory work for the High-level Plenary Meeting, thereby ensuring the success of the summit, which marked the sixtieth anniversary of our Organization.”
2005-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 60 (2005)
“This will affect positively their bilateral relations, as well as the stability and cooperation in the region. In conclusion, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, the Kingdom of Morocco, as a member of the African, Arab, and Muslim family and given its position in the Euro- Mediterranean region, has always held dear the basic values of tolerance, moderation, open-mindedness and dialogue in dealing with the international community. Morocco will always honour its obligations towards the international community to strengthen the foundations of security and stability and to give impetus to the new visions charted for the world of the twenty-first century. We will always remain ready to contribute within the United Nations to finding the most efficient means of improving conditions in the world.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In this context, Morocco expresses its concern with regard to the Kuwaiti prisoners of war and missing persons, and the need to preserve the unity and independence of the State of Kuwait. Morocco also emphasizes the need to preserve Iraq's unity and sovereignty over all its territory. The same region is witnessing another conflict involving two sister States that have strong bonds of friendship and cooperation with Morocco — that is, the United Arab Emirates and the Islamic Republic of Iran. My country is hopeful that our brothers in Iran will become convinced of the need to settle the conflict over the islands of Abu Musa, the Greater Tunb and the Lesser Tunb, by peaceful means, in accordance with the principles of the United Nations Charter and the rules of international law.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Iraqi issue has become a major preoccupation for the entire world, owing to the suffering of the Iraqi people. For this reason, while we demand that Iraq implement the relevant United Nations resolutions, we also call for deep reflection and patience in dealing with the Iraqi question, hoping that the Iraqi Government will respond to the international community's request. The aim would be to avoid the infliction of further suffering, distress and misery on the Iraqi people. At any rate, the United Nations is required to act within the framework of its Charter's principles and purposes in order to preserve the stability and security of all countries in the region.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In view of the importance of Al-Quds al-Sharif as a key point in the peace process, and seeking to preserve the national and religious identity of this Holy City in accordance with the relevant Security Council resolutions, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, is continuing his efforts, along with brother Kings, Emirs and Presidents of the Muslim member States of the Committee, with the United States of America and the Russian Federation in their capacity as peace patrons, and with the presidency of the European Union, with His Holiness the Pope and with the United Nations Secretary-General, in order to safeguard the Islamic Arab character of Al-Quds al-Sharif and to preserve it as a place of coexistence and tolerance among the three revealed religions.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The spiral of violence has instead witnessed an unprecedented escalation. For decades, the Kingdom of Morocco has been endeavouring to act as a bridge between the peoples of the region, with a view to achieving a climate of peace and security and contributing to the revitalization of the peace process, the creation of an independent Palestinian State with Al-Quds al-Sharif as its capital and the recovery by Syria and Lebanon of their territories occupied since 1967.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“In contrast, leaders of the Arab States have demonstrated a keen sense of responsibility and a continued pledge to embrace peace, culminating at the Arab summit in Beirut in March 2002 with the adoption of the Arab peace initiative presented by His Royal Highness Crown Prince Abdullah ibn Abdul- Aziz of the sister Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. On the other hand, Morocco welcomes the vision advocated by United States President George W. Bush, in which he called for the establishment of a Palestinian State to coexist side by side with Israel, as a lasting and viable solution to the Arab-Israeli conflict, one likely to achieve peace and security for all peoples of the region and to put a definite end to violence and instability. However, recent events and developments in the region do not, unfortunately, give substance to this vision.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“As they build with mutual respect, confidence and common strategic interests, these relations will take into account the need for preserving stability and peace in our region, particularly at this specific juncture when the international community is confronting formidable security challenges. In spite of continued appeals made by the international community to bring about peace in the Middle East, the Palestinian people still suffer on a daily basis from the mad violence inflicted on them by the Israeli occupation forces and practices that flout the most elementary principles of international humanitarian law. Notwithstanding successive Security Council resolutions, Israel still persists in its repressive policy, paying no heed to any international covenant 12 and denying the very agreements into which it has entered.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Morocco has never ceased, neither at the bilateral level nor in international forums, to officially demand the recovery of these parts of its national territory that are occupied by Spain. In so doing, it has always expressed its readiness to engage in dialogue in order to arrive at a solution that would guarantee Morocco's sovereign rights and secure the interests of the Spanish community in the areas. We fervently hope that the two neighbouring kingdoms, Morocco and Spain, which are bound by ties of neighbourliness, common history and future, will build strong, stable and neutral relations to meet the aspirations of both peoples.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Morocco has spared no efforts in avoiding any move likely to affect adversely the steady growth of its relations with Spain, hopes that the upcoming Moroccan-Spanish talks, which will take place in Madrid this month, will tackle all issues and conflicts between the two countries, within the framework of responsible, calm and constructive dialogue. The completion of Moroccan territorial integrity is an absolute priority for His Majesty King Mohammed VI and for the entire Moroccan people. Therefore, Morocco considers the status of the occupied cities of Sebta and Melilia and of the neighbouring islands to be an anachronistic instance of colonialism that has no place at the beginning of the twenty-first century.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Morocco, by virtue of its Mediterranean identity, plays a positive role in the strategic, economic and cultural formation of a Euro-Mediterranean space, as witnessed by its active participation in the Barcelona process and in the Agadir initiative announced by His Majesty King Mohammed VI for building a free-trade area among Arab Mediterranean countries. In that spirit of open-mindedness, responsibility and confidence in the future, Morocco aspires to develop its relations with our neighbouring country, Spain, with a view to building the Euro-Mediterranean region and moving forward. Unfortunately, however, recent months have been marked by events that are inconsistent with the maintenance of security and stability in the region and that are unlikely to serve the interests of the two countries and their peoples.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“The Association Agreement which has been concluded with the European Union, and the other initiatives to strengthen Moroccan-European relations at the political, economic, cultural and social levels, reflect Morocco's determination to enhance this relationship, particularly at a time when the European Union is in the process of expanding its membership, something that would open new opportunities and horizons for Moroccan- European partnership. This approach not only seeks to achieve a bilateral strategic objective between Morocco and Europe, but it is also a valuable contribution to nurturing relations in the Euro-Mediterranean region, whose security and stability have become paramount for the world.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“Their release has been demanded unanimously by the international community and humanitarian organizations, in the forefront of which is the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Morocco categorically rejects any political exploitation of humanitarian issues related to the Sahara problem, especially since this concerns the fate of the longest-held detainees in the world. The Kingdom of Morocco is linked to Europe by strong and diverse historic bonds. The strengthening of these bonds with all European countries constitutes a central tenet of our foreign policy.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)
“That option would preserve the territorial integrity of the Kingdom of Morocco and its historical sovereignty over its land, and would ensure for the population of the Sahara provinces the exercise of expanded competencies in the management of their affairs within the framework of regional democratic institutions. Morocco accepted this option as a basis for negotiation in order to reach a final and lasting political solution to this regional conflict. In the same context, Morocco insists on the enforcement of the provisions of Security Council resolution 1429 (2002), calling for the immediate release, without restriction or condition, of all the 1,260 Moroccans detained in Algeria.”
2002-09-24 · UN General Assembly · General Debate, Session 57 (2002)