Morocco’s Foreign Affairs Minister Nasser Bourita met Jassim Mohammed Al Budaiwi, Secretary General of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on Thursday in Rabat, amid his official visit, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
The two parties discussed the long and strategic partnership between Morocco and the GCC which has been growing since 2011, highlighting its political, economic, and cultural dimensions.
During the meeting, Minister Bourita noted Al Budaiwi that King Mohammed VI has repeatedly welcomed the consistent support from the Gulf states for Morocco’s national causes, particularly regarding its territorial integrity. Bourita highlighted the principled support of the GCC Supreme Council for Morocco’s sovereignty over its Sahara and for the preservation of Morocco’s security, stability, and territorial integrity.
The Moroccan minister also pointed out that Morocco reaffirms its full solidarity with the GCC member states in safeguarding their sovereignty, territorial integrity, and taking all necessary measures to defend their security and stability.
The two parties also discussed several regional and international issues, reaffirming their unwavering support for the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people to establish an independent state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on the June 1967 borders.
The Morocco-Gulf States Summit, held in Riyadh on April 20, 2016, with the participation of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the heads of state of the GCC countries, marked a significant milestone in the strategic partnership between the two parties, Morocco’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement. “This summit gave a strong boost to bilateral dynamics in terms of solidarity and complementarity and opened up broad prospects for fruitful cooperation,” the statement added.
The joint declaration resulting from the summit reflected the alignment of positions and visions between the nations on various regional and international issues of common interest. It also underscored their determination to strengthen the foundations of stability and sustainable development in the Arab region, with a focus on preserving state sovereignty, territorial integrity, and national constants.
Both sides will work to further develop, elevate, and enrich this strategic partnership, involving the private sectors of both Morocco and the Gulf as a key mechanism for global development. They aim to promote expanded cooperation in various promising areas within Morocco and the GCC countries.