Speech of The Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch on the occasion of the eighth session of the Moroccan-Qatari Joint Higher Committee

In the name of Allah, the Most Gracious, the Most Merciful, and Prayers and peace be upon the Messenger of Allah and his family and companions

Your Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani, Prime Minister, and Minister of Interior of the State of Qatar,
Ladies and Gentlemen, Ministers, 
Your Excellencies, Ambassadors,
Ladies and Gentlemen.
Allow me at the outset to extend to Your Excellencies, on my behalf and on behalf of the Moroccan delegation accompanying me, our sincere thanks and gratitude for the warm reception and kind care you have given us, which is not strange to you or to the brotherly Qatari people, who have always accustomed us to hospitality and good care.

I would also like to express our happiness to renew the meeting with our Qatari brothers within the framework of the eighth session of the Joint Higher Committee.

It is the first joint high commission held by Morocco, in person since the beginning of the pandemic. This reflects in depth the keenness of the two countries and their common desire to continue strengthening the tracks of bilateral cooperation, in accordance with the aspirations of the leaders of our two countries, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, may God protect him, who have always surrounded these strong fraternal relations with their generous patronage. 

I take the opportunity of our presence as a Moroccan delegation on this good land, 
to congratulate our Qatari brothers for their tremendous efforts in providing the appropriate infrastructure to organize the Qatar 2022 World Cup, striving for a distinguished edition that reflects international exposure and the impressive development of your brotherly country at all levels.

We have no doubt that Qatar will present a bright image of us as Arabs in this global football event, which is being organized for the first time on Arab soil.

Your Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani.
Excellencies,
Ladies and gentlemen,

Thankfully, our two countries have been able, during these recent years, to establish a rich and diverse legal framework for bilateral cooperation in many economic, technical, judicial, cultural, and social fields.

 Our meeting today is an opportunity to assess the outcome of this cooperation since the previous session of the Joint Higher Committee held in Rabat. 

Let Us Work together to find the most effective means to give this cooperation a new impetus and expand its horizons while being keen to overcome all the difficulties that may face his career, this strengthens our determination to come out during this session, hopefully, results that live up to the close relations between our two brotherly countries.

We have no doubt that other important sectors such as energy, renewable energies, the digital economy, agriculture, processing, and transport will catch up.

 In particular, it has all the necessary ingredients to lay the foundations for fruitful cooperation that achieves mutual benefit, responds to the aspirations of both parties, and benefits its economic, social, and human structures, to the extent that we express our satisfaction with the achievements made so far, the more we will be willing and ambitious to achieve more comprehensive goals and a fruitful long-term partnership.

 This is in line with the changes taking place in the world, and the successive developments in the world of economy, investment, and business.

The new development model recently adopted by Morocco, thanks to the wise vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, opens up new and promising prospects for strengthening, developing, and expanding the framework of our bilateral cooperation. 

The achievement of these ambitions will only be achieved through the intensification of meetings between the various government sectors, and greater contribution and stronger involvement of the private sector, which we invite to make good use of the opportunities available to reach joint investment projects that benefit both sides.

Reiterating our praise for the valuable investment effort of the State of Qatar in keeping pace with Moroccan development projects, whether within the framework of the Gulf grant or abroad,
 It remains our hope that our brothers in the State of Qatar and the rest of the brotherly Gulf countries will continue to keep pace with the great development effort in which Morocco has engaged, with determination and firmness, including the southern provinces of the Kingdom, for which an ambitious development program has been developed, aimed at consolidating its gains in a participatory and integrated manner, nationally, and also seeks to make it an economic and commercial pole, at the level of sub-Saharan Africa, in accordance with the path launched by His Majesty King Mohammed VI, May God Assist Him, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the triumphant Green March.

Of course, Qatari economic operators, whether from the public or private sectors, are invited to invest in the development program for the southern provinces, and in Morocco in general.
 As a gateway to the sub-Saharan African continent, they will find all the welcome, support, and support of their Moroccan brothers and counterparts.

His Excellency Sheikh Khalid bin Khalifa bin Abdulaziz Al-Thani.
Excellencies.
Ladies and gentlemen,

Our meeting today comes under delicate and highly complex international and regional circumstances, especially in our Arab region, where the situation is characterized by growing terrorist threats, which requires rational, sober, and coordinated engagement from all of us.

We also look forward to intensifying efforts to combat extremist ideology and hateful terrorism, which we strongly condemn. 
We call for a practical approach to introduce Islam, the Islam of moderation and moderation, and to ward off any abuse of its sanctities and symbols.

I do not miss the occasion to recall that the Palestinian cause remains a key to security in the region and its surroundings.

 Convinced that keeping this just cause unresolved, would perpetuate the factors of tension, extremism, and Instability in the region and the world.

We take this opportunity to renew our full solidarity with the Palestinian people and our support for their legitimate and inalienable right to establish their independent and viable state on all their territories, on the borders of the fourth of June 1967 with East Jerusalem as its capital. 
It lives side by side with the State of Israel, in security and harmony, in accordance with the approved international references.

The Kingdom of Morocco, whose King holds the leadership of the Al-Quds Committee, will continue to defend the city of Al-Quds Al-Sharif with all responsibility and wisdom, bearing in mind that Al-Quds, as stipulated in the various resolutions of international legitimacy, is at the heart of final status issues. 
This requires preserving its legal and historical status and refraining from anything that might prejudice its existing political status.

 It must also be preserved as a common heritage of humanity, as a land of encounter, a city of peace and tolerance, a symbol of peaceful coexistence among the followers of the three monotheistic religions, and a center for the values of mutual respect and dialogue, as stated in the Al-Quds Call, signed by HM the King and Pope Francis on March 30, 2019, during His Holiness' visit to Morocco.

On the other hand, in light of the worrying situation in our Arab region as a result of the increase in separatist tendencies, the spread of the scourge of terrorism and, the increase in the frequency of foreign interventions, our efforts should be directed at enabling our Arab States to defend their unity and sovereignty and to enhance their security and stability.

 This is done by upholding the values of synergy, solidarity, and good neighborliness and refraining from interfering in the internal affairs of States and threatening their territorial integrity, security, and stability.

Here, I do not miss this occasion, without highly acknowledging the high sense of solidarity of your brotherly country towards Morocco's territorial integrity, and what you have expressed on various occasions. 

Whether at the state level or through the Gulf Cooperation Council, in harmony with the rest of the brotherly Gulf countries, from a clear and supportive position to the Moroccan Sovereignty of the Sahara and firm and continuous support for our national cause.
Morocco, which considers the defense of its national and territorial unity to be one of its constants and sanctities, reiterates its position rejecting any prejudice to the unity and sovereignty of any Arab country or interference in its internal affairs.

     In this context, we look forward to the crises afflicting brotherly Arab countries such as Syria, Yemen, and Libya finding a political solution that preserves their territorial and national integrity.
 It guarantees its security and stability and fulfills the aspirations of its people for development and freedom.

We sincerely hope that our Arab region will overcome the causes of tension and escalation.

 We should all move forward, in a spirit of responsibility and solidarity, towards a bright common future, in which the factors of development, progress, and prosperity are shared by future generations.
The first step is to provide the best possible solutions for the development of products and services for Pilgrims and the Martyrs of the Shrine of Imam Hussain (PBUH).

 Under the high directives of the leaders of our two countries, His Majesty King Mohammed VI, and His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, may God protect them.
Before concluding, I would like to reiterate, on my own behalf and on behalf of the members of the Moroccan delegation, our deep gratitude and appreciation to the leadership, government, and people of the brotherly State of Qatar, for the kind care and hospitality you have given us since our arrival among you, I thank the senior staff of the two countries for their tireless efforts to prepare the documents for this session.
May God help us all to do what He loves and pleases Him, and peace, mercy, and blessings of God Almighty be upon you.