King Mohammed VI Current Events 1: September 2003 - December 2007

[Amira]

HM King Mohammed VI and UAE president hail Morocco-UAE excellent relations


Abu Dhabi - HM King Mohammed VI and president of the United Arab Emirates, HH Cheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al-Nahyan hailed this Tuesday the excellent longstanding relations that were launched by the late King Hassan II and Cheikh Zayed.

The two heads of State, who held a private meeting, expressed satisfaction at the sincerity, brotherhood and mutual help marking bilateral ties and expressed resolve to bring bilateral cooperation to a level matching the brotherhood bonds existing between the two countries and the two peoples.

They hailed the convergence of viewpoints on the whole set of Arab, regional and international issues debated during the meeting.

They also stressed the need to reach a fair, peaceful and lasting solution to the Palestinian issue, in a way that restores to the Palestinian people their legitimate rights, particularly their right to establish a Palestinian state with Al-Quds as a capital.

The UAE president also praised the tireless efforts made by King Mohammed VI as chairman of Al-Quds (Jerusalem) committee for the triumph of the Palestinian cause and the protection of the city.

HM King Mohammed VI who arrived in Abu Dhabi on Monday on an official visit held with the UAE head of State on the same day a meeting that was attended by delegations of the two countries.

The sovereign also attended a lunch hosted in his honor by HH Cheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al-Nahyan and visited the mausoleum where the late UAE president is buried.

The royal delegation comprises royal advisors, Abdelaziz Meziane Belfkih and Mohamed Moatassim, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, Member of the Royal Office, Mohamed Rochdi Chraibi, Minister of Habous and Islamic Affairs, Ahmed Toufiq, Minister of Finance and Privatization, Fathallah Oualalou, and Minister-Delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Taib Fassi Fihri.

[Amira]

King's visit to Singapore to boost economic cooperation

HM King Mohammed VI started Thursday an official visit to Singapore at the invitation of President Sellapan Rama Nathan.

This visit, the first by the monarch to Singapore, aims at strengthening economic cooperation and bilateral relations between Morocco and Singapore. It is also designed to consolidate the diplomatic ties established in January 1997, especially since the two countries enjoy political stability and share democratic principles and an economic system encouraging private enterprise.

The visit is important because it will enable the two countries to intensify their exchanges and explore economic prospects and potentials, particularly since Singapore is regarded by multinational companies as a strategic location that opens its doors to the strong Asia market.

The overall trade exchanges between Morocco and Singapore were estimated in 2004 at MAD 333 million, about 30 million euros, an important increase compared to the previous year of MAD 240 million.

Moroccan exports to Singapore were estimated in 2004 at MAD 151.14 million and MAD 15.49 million in 2003, while Moroccan imports from Singapore decreased from MAD 218.95 to 182.12 million.

Singapore, member of the Association of South-East Asian Nations Group (ASEAN), became an important platform for international trade as early as the end of the 19th century.

The Monarch arrived in Singapore from the United Arab Emirates where he held talks with Sheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al-Nahyane on bilateral and international issues.

Morocco, Singapore usher new era of economic cooperation

Singapore, Apr. 29 - Morocco and Singapore have ushered a new era of economic relations under a cooperation agreement signed, here Friday, in presence of visiting HM King Mohammed VI and Singapore Premier, Lee Hsien Loong.

Both countries also signed a "memorandum of entente" on the first day of the official visit of the Monarch to the Asian country.

The agreement, which was signed by Moroccan foreign minister, Mohamed Benaissa and Singapore interim foreign minister, Raymond Lim, is to rule the economic, technical, scientific and cultural cooperation, both at the public and private sectors levels.

The Two countries also agreed to set up a joint commission to coordinate and follow up the initiatives to be carried out within the framework of the agreement.

The memorandum of understanding provides for political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries on bilateral, regional and international issues.

HM King Mohammed VI who arrived Thursday in the island was guest to an official welcome ceremony held at the presidential Istana Palace, followed by a private meeting with his host President Sellapan.

This is the first visit to Singapore by the monarch since his accession to the throne in 1999.

[Monalisa]

HM King's visit to Singapore to spur bilateral cooperation, ministers:

Singapore, Apr.29 between Morocco and the Asian nation, said, here Friday minister of Finance and Privatisation, Fathallah Oualalou.

This is the first time the Morocc- HM King Mohammed VI's visit to Singapore will give a new impetus to economic and technical cooperation an sovereign pays a visit to Singapore since he ascended the throne in 1999.

The Moroccan minister said the two countries will step up negotiations on two conventions to promote investment and non-double taxation to motivate South-East Asian businessmen to invest in the kingdom.

He noted the importance to have links with Asian ports which constitute an important commercial hub notably Singapore port which is a gateway to Asia.

For his part, Moroccan minister delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, said that the sovereign's visit is an opportunity to further reinforce bilateral relations and discuss common interest issues.

He noted the importance to benefit from Singapore in ports sector since Singapore port has become an important international maritime commercial crossroads which handled up to 20.6 million containers and 390 million tons of goods in 2004.

On the first day of the official visit of the Monarch to the Asian country, Morocco and Singapore signed a memorandum of entente and a cooperation agreement.

The three-year renewable memorandum provides for political consultations between the foreign ministries of the two countries on bilateral, regional and international issues, while the five-year renewable agreement provides for cooperation in the economic, technical, scientific and cultural sectors both at the public and private sectors levels.

The Two countries also agreed to set up a joint commission to coordinate and follow up the initiatives to be carried out within the framework of the agreement.

The agreements were signed by Moroccan foreign minister, Mohamed Benaissa and Singapore interim foreign minister, Raymond Lim.

Morocco, Singapore agree to start negotiations on several agreements, joint communiqué:

Singapore, Apr. 29 - Morocco and Singapore agreed to start negotiations on an economic partnership agreement to step up economic cooperation, a joint communiqué released at the end of the meeting held here Friday by Mohammed VI and Singapore Premier, Lee Hsien Loong.

The communiqué added the two parties also agreed to hold negotiations on an agreement on the promotion and protection investments, to carry on negotiations on a draft agreement on double taxation and tax evasion as well as share port management know-how.

The meeting between the Sovereign and Singapore Prime minister discussed bilateral cooperation and international issues of mutual interest.

On the occasion, the Moroccan monarch extended an invitation to President Sellapan Rama Nathan to visit Morocco.

The Monarch arrived, here Thursday, on an official visit at the invitation of President Nathan.

Folds back and Singapore sign a memorandum of agreement and cooperation

The ceremony of official reception of Its Majesty King Mohammed VI took place Friday morning with the presidential palate Istana in Singapore. With Its arrival with the ceremonial plaza of the presidential Palate, S.M. the King was accomodated by the President of Singapore, Mr. Sellapan Rama Nathan. After the safety of the national colors to the sound of the national anthems of the two countries, S.M. the King and the President of the Republic of Singapore reviewed a detachment of the Guard of honour.

Common official statement concerning the meeting between the Sovereign and Singaporean the Prime Minister.


H.M. King Mohammed VI paid a visit of State in Singapore with the invitation of Its Excellence SR Nathan, President of the Republic of Singapore. It acts of the first visit of State of Its Majesty the King in Singapore. Its Majesty had discussions with President Nathan like with the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on April 29, 2005. The discussions related to the bilateral co-operation and the international situation. During their meeting held on April 29, His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister agreed to more develop the co-operation and bonds of friendship between Morocco and Singapore in several fields among which: has the launching of the negotiations for the concluding of an agreement of narrower economic partnership aiming at strengthening the economic co-operation between the two countries and the two areas. B The launching of the negotiations on the draft agreement on the promotion and the protection of the investments. C Continuation of the negotiations on the draft agreement tending to avoid the double taxation and tax avoidance relating to income tax. D The experience sharing as regards management of the ports. His Majesty the King and the Prime Minister chaired the ceremony of signature of two agreements knowing the memorandum of agreement for the establishment of a mechanism of political consultation between the Ministry for Foreign Affairs and the Co-operation of the Kingdom of Morocco and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Singapore and the agreement about the co-operation economic, technical, scientific and cultural between the two countries. The discussions on the bilateral co-operation and the international situation proceeded in an atmosphere of mutual cordiality and respect. Its Majesty the King invited President SR Nathan to pay a visit of State in Morocco and Its Excellence accepted with pleasure. The date of the aforementioned visit will be fixed by diplomatic way.

[Monalisa]

The strategic opening of the King in Asia:

29.04.2005 | 17h56

The first visit of State that H.M. King Mohammed VI has just carried out in Singapore was a resounding success. With the time by its strategic character and the heat with which the Head of State, the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and the government of Singapore surrounded this visit. The State of Singapore, hardly 618 square kilometres, is today one of the money markets and technological most powerful in the world. The capital of Singapore is also one of the most important ports of the world which drains and generates an impressive and diversified activity. It is also the example of an economic and industrial success, at one hour of Malaysia and a little more Australia. As much the geography did not spoil the peninsula, as much it equipped it with an exceptional destiny, a culture of know-how and potentialities. Also, the official visit of S.M. King Mohammed VI in this country-crossroads, constitutes it a true economic and technological stake. It opens new prospects for Morocco and the State for Singapore, and can indeed give to the others the example living of what can and must be a partnership between one of the "small dragons" of the Southeast Asia and an emergent country of the Mediterranean. All these paradigms were, indeed, present in the discussions maroco-Singaporean to sit the bases of a co-operation fertile and opened on the future. Partisans of the concerned liberalism but also of a better social cohesion, S.M. King Mohammed VI and the persons in charge for Singapore decided to impel with the bilateral relations a new breath, in particular, with regard to the economic and financial co-operation, the installation of instruments to encourage the investments, in particular in direction of Morocco, by then harmonizing the double taxation which is dependent for them, by initiating a strategy of exchanges as regards harbour experiments finally. Because, Singapore, in addition to its positioning geostrategic, is also "a window on all Asia". The economic shutter and financier taking a big part, Its Majesty King Mohammed VI and the Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also installed a political mechanism of consultation to supplement the framework of the co-operation between our two countries. It thus finds its plenitude in the finalization of the Memorandum of agreement, left charter to which adhere the two States. It is obvious that Morocco and Singapore make liberalism and free enterprise their creed, the democracy and pluralism being at the same time a tangible data and a point of bringing together between them. The visit of S.M. King Mohammed VI in Singapore constitutes with the obviousness a diplomatic opening in this part of the world on which - the myth of China which arrives is there for something - all the glances and the phantasms are projected. The finalization and the signature of two important agreements between our two countries take part of the concern of the Sovereign of widening and of deepening the field of intervention of Morocco at the international level, to ensure a presence carrying projects and generator of initiatives, policies, economic, technological, cultural and spiritual. Here thus two countries, moved away by the geography, oceans and continents but which initiated a bringing together on the basis of will shared to promote a co-operation and to give to their respective people the opening necessary to thrive. They can, indeed, claim to constitute two complementary poles and the double agreement put in?uvre in Singapore can be used to them right now as suitable framework with their partnership. The two States and the two people can only there find their account because the Kingdom of Morocco, emergent State, can also be used as platform with the products, financial and different coming from Singapore and intended for Africa and the Maghreb. The visit of S.M. the King in Singapore in the final analysis forecasts new and promising prospects for Morocco. It is the first stage and not least of the establishment of Morocco in this area which also incarnates, more and more, a new future of the world.

Hassan Alaoui | Le matin

H.M. the King visits the botanical garden:

Its Majesty King Mohammed VI visited, Friday, the botanical garden of Singapore. H.M. the King was accompanied at the time of this visit of Mr. Othman Ben Haron Youssef, minister of State near Singaporean the Prime Minister. The botanical garden of Singapore, wide on 52 ha, is the most luxuriant park of the island. It is a mixture of virgin forest and sown landscape gardens, in particular of frangipaniers, pinks, ferns or plants of the desert. Some 4.000 species and varieties of plants whose many rare specimens make an exceptional place of discovery of it. It includes a splendid garden of orchises with more than 20.000 specimens. The botanical garden includes/understands in particular floors of orchises, water levels as well as an exotic collection of broméliacées originating in Central America and south.

KING MOHAMMED VI VISIT TO SINGAPORE:

[Amira]

President Sellapan Rama Nathan offers dinner in honor of the King Mohamed VI

The President of the Republic of Singapore, M.Sellapan Rama Nathan, offered, Friday at the Palate Istana in Singapore, a dinner in the honor of King Mohammed VI, who pays a visit of State in this country. With Its arrival with the Istana Palate, SM the King was welcomed by President Sellapan Rama Nathan. The king was then greeted by the members of the Singaporean government and high persons in charge for the State. The Singaporean President was, on his side, greeted by the members of the official delegation accompanying SM the King. Attended this dinner the members of the official delegation accompanying the Sovereign, the members of the government of Singapore, high persons in charge for the State, the foreign ambassadors accredited in Singapore and several personalities civil and military.


HM the King visits the botanical garden

His Majesty King Mohammed VI visited, Friday, the botanical garden of Singapore. The King was accompanied at the time of this visit of Mr. Othman Ben Haron Youssef, minister of State near Singaporean the Prime Minister. The botanical garden of Singapore, wide on 52 ha, is the most luxuriant park of the island. It is a mixture of virgin forest and sown landscape gardens, in particular of frangipaniers, pinks, ferns or plants of the desert. Some 4.000 species and varieties of plants whose many rare specimens make an exceptional place of discovery of it. It includes a splendid garden of orchises with more than 20.000 specimens. The botanical garden includes/understands in particular floors of orchises, water levels as well as an exotic collection of broméliacées originating in Central America and south.

[Amira]

HM King Mohammed VI in Dubai

Dubai, May 04 - HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco arrived Wednesday in Dubai, ten days after the official visit he paid to the United Arab Emirates.

He was welcomed at the airport by Cheikh Mohamed Ben Rached Al Maktoum, Dubai crown prince and Defence Minister.

Following his visit last week to the Gulf country, the Moroccan sovereign headed for Singapore for an official visit.

HM King Mohammed VI and UAE president Cheikh Khalifa Ben Zayed Al-Nahyan had expressed satisfaction at the sincerity, brotherhood and mutual help marking bilateral ties. They also voiced resolve to bring bilateral cooperation to a level matching the brotherhood bonds existing between the two countries and the two peoples.


HM King Mohamed VI
Blair's victory attests trust in his 'able leadership

The victory of British Prime Minister, Tony Blair at the general elections attests trust in his "able leadership," said HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco in a congratulations message to the re-elected British premier.
Blair has become the first Labour leader to win three consecutive terms as British voters returned his party to power with a reduced majority.

"It gives me great pleasure to congratulate you on leading the Labour Party to a third consecutive general election victory. This success attests, once more, to the British people's trust in your able leadership," said HM King Mohamed VI.

Labour needed at least 324 seats to form a majority in the 646-seat House of Commons; it won 353 seats, while the main opposition party, the Conservatives, won 196, Liberal Democrats 61, and independents and smaller parties 12. The majority requires 324 seats.

In the message, HM King Mohammed VI expressed his hope that relations between Morocco and the UK will develop into an "exemplary partnership."

"I look forward to seeing our economic and cultural relations develop into an exemplary partnership between our two countries, and even on a larger scale, especially within the European Union (...) of which your country is an influential member," said the sovereign.

HM King Mohamed VI Blair's victory attests trust in his 'able leadership

Some 100,000 small farmers to benefit from debt cancellation this current season

Rabat, May 12 - The outstanding debt of some 100,000 small farmers amounting to MAD 3 billion, around 290 million euros, is to be cancelled as one of the measures to mitigate the effects of the current poor agricultural season in Morocco.

The decision was announced at a meeting presided here Thursday by HM King Mohammed VI to discuss proposals to remedy the difficulties of the 2004-2005 agricultural season.

Tarik Sijelmassi, chairman of the executive board of the "Crédit Agricole du maroc" (CAM), said small farmers are eligible for debt cancellation, while other farmers hit by the bad season will benefit from cancellation of overdue interest payback and various fines.

CAM chairman expounded the action plan of this farmers lending body to alleviate the season's effects, including fostering soil conversion through a MAD 4 billion program to plant fruit trees, medical plants, spices…

The action plan also aims to promote investment in irrigation infrastructure and services in the rural world and to incept a new cereal growing five-year revolving credit system.

A structure called "Dar El Fellah", to accompany farmers in building viable agricultural enterprises, was also a proposal presented at the meeting to help some 350,000 farmers during the five coming years.

The sovereign gave instruction at the end of the meeting to present the action program to a cabinet meeting this Thursday with a view to ensure a follow up of the implementation of approved proposals.

Rabat turned the page on its biggest shanty town
HM King Mohammed VI inaugurates first part of housing project ‘Douar El Koura'

Rabat--- HM King Mohammed VI inaugurates on Thursday the first part of the housing project ‘Douar El Koura' in Yacoub El Mansour neighbourhood in Rabat, which was the biggest shanty town of the Moroccan capital.

The project consists of building 2,200 social housing, 665 stores for a total investment of MAD 465 millions.

The first part of the project includes 870 social housing and 350 stores for an investment of MAD 190 millions.

The second part of the project will include 850 social housing, 170 stores for an investment of MAD 180 millions. The third part of the project will include 480 social housing, 145 stores, built on 33, 000 Square meters for an investment of MAD 95 Millions.

The sovereign has visited a sample apartment of the project before delivering the keys of the first part of the housing project to the beneficiaries.

The construction of the first part is to be carried out by the real estate lending company "Compagnie Générale Immobilière" (CGI), an affiliate of the "Caisse de Dépôt et de Gestion" (CDG), in charge of collecting and managing institutional savings.

The project building will be out-phased in six years according to the vacating of the land lots.

The Douar El Kora housing project, which is to cover 162,000 sq meters and to cost overall MAD 740 million, including 465 million for relocation, is jointly carried out by several departments, institutions and other local authorities.

The project will also include entertainment, social, economic, education and cultural facilities, including two health centers, illiteracy eradication classrooms, a library, a kindergarten and a women center.

The project is the fruit of a cooperation agreement between the Ministry of Interior, the Ministry of Urbanization and Housing, the Ministry of Finance, the Hassan II Fund for Economic and Social Development, the Wilaya of Rabat, the Rabat Commune, and the CDG.

The CDG have created a special branch called “El Koura Development Agency” to allow the residents of the neighbourhood buy social apartments with adequate prices.

El ‘Koura Development Agency' and the ‘Social Development Agency' signed a cooperation agreement to assist the new residents of the project and listen to their needs with the help of experts in the social field.

With this promising project, Rabat will not only get rid of the oldest and biggest shanty towns of the city, but will also regain its beauty. Project managers said that the project aims at providing social housing based on HM King Mohammed VI to eradicate poor quality housing, and at the same time to set up the building block of a major real state project to be sited in the city's seaside.

[Amira]

Commemoration : HM King Mohammed VI hosts lunch on 49th anniversary of army

HM King Mohammed VI, supreme chief and chief of staff of the Royal Armed Forces, hosted on Saturday in Rabat a lunch on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the creation of the Moroccan army (FAR)

The lunch was chaired by HRH prince Moulay Rachid, the monarch's brother.

The sovereign commended in his annual "order of the say" the Moroccan army for their action in defending the country's integrity and contributing to preserving peace and security in various parts of the world.

The FAR supreme commander and chief of staff also paid tribute to FAR for "their mobilization, loyalty, dedication and sense of sacrifice in the accomplishment of their mission" whether to defend the country's integrity, or to contribute effectively to the preservation of peace and security in various parts of the world.

HM King Mohammed VI recalled the role of FAR in security and peace-keeping operations in many friendly nations, in accordance with international law and with the Charter and resolutions of the United Nations, namely in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, in Côte d'Ivoire, in the Republic of Gabon and, more recently, in Haiti, where Moroccan troops are operating jointly and in close coordination with Spanish troops.

[Amira]

HM King Mohammed VI receives Jordanian PM

HM King Mohammed VI received Monday in Rabat the Jordanian Prime Minister Adnan Badrane, who is currently on a three-day visit to Morocco to take part in the 3rd session of the Moroccan-Jordanian high-level joint Commission.

The third session, which opened today in the Moroccan capital, is considering the means to consolidate the cooperation between the two Arab countries in several fields such as economy, trade, tourism, investments, agriculture or transport, said Badrane in an interview published Monday by the Moroccan newspaper "Assahara Al Maghribya."

The Jordanian official, who arrived Sunday in Morocco, expressed his country's resolution to implement the Agadir agreement which mentions the creation of a free trade area between Morocco, Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt. The goal, he said, is to achieve an economic development able to fight unemployment in those countries.

The Agadir agreement, currently under scrutiny by the Moroccan parliament, was described Monday by Prime Minister Driss Jettou as a "real implement" to promote trade exchanges between Morocco and Jordan.

Jettou noted at the end of talks with his Jordanian counterpart that the 3rd session of the high-level joint commission will be marked by the signing of 15 agreements.

[Amira]

King congratulates Norway's king on his country's National Day

HM King Mohammed VI sent a message of congratulation to the king of Norway, Harald V, on the occasion of the National Day of his country.

“It is a great pleasure to seize the opportunity of Norway's celebration of its National Day to express my warmest congratulations and my deepest wishes of good health, progress and prosperity for the Norwegian people,” said the message.

The King expressed satisfaction at “the good level of relations between the two countries.” He added that he was determined to develop relations, in collaboration with King Harald V and the Norwegian government, at the economic, political and cultural levels between the two countries that share the same values of democracy, justice, and peace.

HM King to commemorate 6th anniversary of HM late King Hassan II death


Rabat, May 17 - HM King Mohammed VI will chair Wednesday a religious ceremony to commemorate the 6th anniversary of the death of HM late king Hassan II who ruled Morocco from 1961 to 1999.


The ceremony will be held in Mausoleum Mohammed V, according to a release of the Ministry of the Royal Household, protocol and Chancellery.

The ceremony will be marked by the reading out of verses from the holy Koran and panegyrics of the prophet.

HM King Mohammed VI chairs religious ceremony on anniversary of his father's death


RABAT, May 19 - HM King Mohammed VI chaired on Wednesday at the Mohammed V mausoleum in Rabat a religious ceremony marking the 6th anniversary of the death of HM King Hassan II, father of the present monarch.

The late King who ruled Morocco from 1961 to 1999 passed away on the 9th of Rabie II (lunar month), 1420 (corresponding to July 23, 1999) which coincides this year with May 18.

The sovereign, Amir Al-Muminine (Commander of the faithful), was accompanied by his brother HRH Prince Moulay Racid and cousin HH Prince Moulay Ismail. The religious ceremony took place at the Mausoleum where their majesties the late Kings Hassan II and Mohammed V ad well as HRH Prince Moulay Abdallah are buried.

Verses from the Koran and the Prophet’s panegyrics were read out by the faithful who also prayed for the rest of the soul of the late kings.

Then, the sovereign and his brother prayed at the tombs of their late father, King Hassan II, grandfather King Mohammed V, and uncle, Prince Moulay Abdallah.

[Amira]

HM King Mohammed VI announced, Wednesday evening, the launching of the National Initiative for Human Development, which illustrates the sovereign's concern to fulfill the aspirations of the Moroccan people, and which is part of the society project initiated by His Majesty since his accession to the Alaouite throne.




This Initiative, launched in a nationwide speech, stems from four principal benchmarks that constitute its cogency and philosophy of action, and consolidates the socio-economic building of development of the country as well as the fundamental reforms and the progress achieved as regards the strengthening of the Rule of Law.

In the first place, the Initiative stems from the objective data which show that broad fringes of the population live under difficult conditions and sometimes in a situation of poverty and marginalisation, incompatible with the conditions of a worthy and decent life that the Sovereign wishes for the citizens.

His Majesty recalls, in this respect, that many districts and shantytowns, urban or peri-urbans, and several communes, located for their great majority in rural areas, live difficult situations marked by the insufficiency of the access to equipments and basic social services.

The Royal Initiative stems, in the second place, from a conviction according to which the social upgrading cannot rely on the specific assistance or the spontaneous charity action or even on an ethical duty.

His Majesty underlines, in this regard, that the efficient and sustainable development can only be materialized by the means of integrated public policies lying within the scope of a coherent enterprise and a global project, while ensuring an all-out mobilization.

The third benchmark of the Initiative is related to the choice of His Majesty the King for the opening on the world, in view of the challenges and vulnerabilities which weaken the social and territorial bonds and convey consumption standards, ways of life and invading diagrams of thought.

Underlining the need for benefiting from many opportunity which offers the opening on the world while immunizing the assets with respect to its repercussions, the Sovereign notes that this action can be only a collective endeavor, and that all the Moroccans have to take part in it.

The Initiative stems, in the fourth place, from the lessons drawn from the past experiments and the models having proven reliable in certain countries, in such matters as the fight against poverty and exclusion.

The Sovereign notes that these experiments show that this challenge could be taken up only by one rigorous definition of the objectives and a general mobilization for their realization.

They inform, moreover, about the limit of the strictly sectorial, isolated and not integrated development approaches, and about the dysfunctions generated by the great dispersion of efforts, resources and actors. On the other hand, notes His Majesty the King, these experiments attest of the relevance of the policies targeting the most vulnerable zones and categories, as much as the importance of a participation of the populations for a better viability of the projects and interventions.

On the basis of these assets, of these reference frames and lessons drawn from the past experiments, His Majesty recalls that this Initiative must be considered under the sign of the genuine and acting citizenship, and proceed from a resolutely innovative step.


Three main axes for the methodology of action


The Sovereign set three main axes for the methodology of action in order to materialize the National Initiative for Human Development, underlining the need for tackling , first, the social deficit by the widening of the access to the basic equipment and social services, such as health, education, the elimination of illiteracy, water, electricity and the cultural infrastructures.

His Majesty the King lays the emphasis, in the second place, on the importance of the promotion of steady incomes and employment-generating activities, while adopting a more imaginative action in direction of the informal sector.

To this end, the Sovereign called the government and the various partners to make of the coming national meetings on employment an opportunity to engage an open and constructive dialogue and to make specific proposals, in order to stop the unemployment of the young people.
The third axis set by His Majesty consists in providing assistance to the people in great vulnerability, or with specific needs, to enable them free themselves from the yoke of precariousness and to preserve their dignity.


Identification of the recipients on a purely priority basis


To carry out these objectives, it was judged relevant to adopt objective criteria urgently to determine the recipients on a purely priority basis, taking into account material impossibility to ensure an exhaustive and concomitant coverage of all the areas and all the categories.

Thus, His Majesty the King announced that, in a first stage of its launching, the Initiative will target the reinforcement of the social upgrading of 360 communes among the poorest of the rural world, and of 250 poor districts, in urban and peri-urban environment, old médinas and shantytowns.

It will target, also and in a progressive way, the upgrading of both the capacities and the quality of the existing reception centers, or the creation of new specialized centers, capable of accommodating and providing assistance to the people in a situation of great precariousness.

The Sovereign underlined, in this respect, that in spite of the limited means, one should not yield to a precarious situation which is viewed as a fate by the Moroccan people, laying emphasis on the assets of the country, including the potential of creativity and qualified human resources.


Calendar of the implementation of the Royal Initiative


His Majesty the King set a calendar for implementing the Initiative on the short, medium and long terms.

On the short term, His Majesty the King entrusted the Prime Minister with making sure that the Government endeavors to give shape to this new Initiative, in its first phase, in the form of programs, integrated and tangible projects on the ground.

The Prime Minister will have to submit to the high appreciation of His Majesty the King, in the three months to come, a complete action plan answering the objectives of the Initiative.

On the medium term, His Majesty the King exhorts the political community, in the perspective of the 2007 elections, to give priority to the development of concrete projects, the goal being to give shape to this Initiative.

On the long term, the Sovereign expressed his ambition, which is also that of the people, to raise the indices of human development in our dear motherland to a level comparable with that of the developed countries.


The Royal initiative will rely on resources earmarked in the general budget of the State


Given the national character of this Initiative, His Majesty the King gave his High instructions to the Prime Minister to submit it to the Parliament at a special meeting, so that it collects all the support which it requires.

The Sovereign also invited the government to listen and engage a dialogue with all the sharp forces of the Nation, and to adopt an action plan based on the principles of good governance.

As to the financing, His Majesty the King decided that the Initiative relies on perennial resources of a substantial level, and be earmarked in the general budget of the State, underlining the need to put an end to the palliatives, sterile and transitory half-measures.

The financing of the Initiative must also be deployed according to a specific financial mechanism ready to guarantee, in addition to the viability of the resources, an efficient easing of the procedures of implementation.

His Majesty insisted, in this respect, that no recourse will be made to a new tax or fiscal burden, neither for the citizen nor for the company.


The National Initiative for Human Development, a building site of reign, permanently open


The Sovereign insisted that the National Initiative for Human Development is neither a specific project, nor a program of the circumstantial economic situation, but acts rather as a building site of reign, permanently open.

His Majesty also insisted on the fact that it does not either question the scale of the priorities, stressing the permanence of the combat carried out in upgrading the human capital, the reinforcement of the competitiveness of the national economy, and the promotion of the investment.

His Majesty the King, in this respect, underlined the determining role of the optimal implementation of the reform of the system of education and training as a capital lever of social mobility and integration, as well as the need for our country to have a strategy of action controlled in the long run by an effective rural development.

Reiterating the duty of solidarity with regard to the rural world, the Sovereign exhorted the government to take the emergency measures which are essential to overcome the current economic situation marked by a difficult agricultural year.

His Majesty the King, may God assist him, set a three year period for the evaluation of the results of this initiative, calling for the adhesion and the mobilization of all, in a spirit of abnegation and sacrifice.

[isis]

I watched at the king's talk, I find that he doesn't give the impression to have a lot of self-confidence, or the profession of king, bores him

He struggled to read his speech, had the whole time the head fallen, instead of looking at the camera

Maybe the appearances are misleading, but he doesn't seem to be an energetic man

On the other hand, I saw prince moulay rachid making some speeches; he is more at ease in public than the king

Some times, I think that prince moulay rachid would have made a better king than his eldest brother

Who shares my opinion?

[khadijalove]

yes i think that too

[Amira]

HM King Mohammed VI will not attend UMA summit


Rabat, May 23 - The Moroccan Foreign Ministry announced Monday that HM King Mohammed VI will not attend the summit of the Maghreb Arab Union (UMA) in Libya on May 25.

It was initially scheduled that HM the king would attend the summit after an invitation from Libyan President Moammar Khaddafi.

A communiqué of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation explained that this decision came after "surprising" official positions taken recently by Algeria with regard to the Sahara issue which is "in contradiction with the recent dynamic in the region."

The two neighbouring countries have been at loggerheads because of Algeria's backing of the Polisario Front that lays claim to the Moroccan Sahara since 1976. Tensions between Rabat and Algiers have hindered the development of UMA (grouping Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco and Tunisia) that failed to hold a summit since 1994, five years after the creation of the Maghreban grouping.

The Foreign Ministry release pointed out that Algeria's "stances have become increasingly waspish as the Tripoli summit came closer," noting that the Algerian position was first expressed on the occasion of President Bouteflika's tour in south America before they have become more intense two days before the opening of the summit preparatory meetings.

This stance �affects directly Morocco�s top interests and is in contempt of the national feelings of the Moroccan people as they explicitly refer to a necessary �sovereignty and independence of the Sahrawi people over its territory��.

The Algerian statements, which coincide with Polisario�s threats to resume armed hostilities, back somehow, through their content, this aggressive tendency, deplored the release.

The Foreign Ministry added that Algiers position is "contrary to the efforts made by the international community to reach a political and final solution" to the Sahara issue.

"By expressing, on the eve of the Maghreban summit, unacceptable conditions to the Maghreb unity, Algeria is responsible for hampering the opportunity to re-launch the Maghreb construction at the highest level," noted the release.

"For all these consideration, His Majesty King Mohammed VI will not be able to personally attend the Tripoli summit as he had initially decided," the release went on, pointing out that Foreign Minister Mohammed Benaissa will represent Morocco instead.

The release recalled the Moroccan sovereign efforts in favour of the Maghreb construction, and that he had favourably reacted to the Libyan initiative to organize an UMA summit after an invitation of President Khaddafi who "spares no efforts to create favourable conditions for the holding and success of the summit."

HM King Mohammed VI launches construction of center for girls in precarious situation


Casablanca, May 26 - HM King Mohammed VI launched this Thursday in Casablanca the construction of a center for the protection and reintegration of girls in precarious situation.

The project, to be carried out by the Mohammed VI foundation for the reintegration of prisoners, the government and the Casablanca local authorities, will cost an estimated 7.5 million MAD (US$ 833,000).

With a capacity to host 100 girls who will be given a chance to benefit from housing in addition to pedagogical, education and culture supervision, the center, to be built on 2,390 square meters, also features a health center, a multi-use room, a restaurant, gardens, leisure facilities, a space for literacy and computer courses.

Two similar centers will be built in Mohammedia (40 km north of Casablanca) and Dar Bouazza rural commune in Nouaceur (south of Casablanca).

The sovereign chaired the signing of three conventions related to the construction of the centers for the protection and reintegration of girls in a precarious situation.

The conventions were signed between the foundation, the justice minister, the youth department, and the Casablanca authorities.

[Monalisa]

HM King Mohammed VI reiterates support to Palestinian cause:


Agadir, May 30 - HM King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Qods Committee, renewed, here Saturday, to the Palestinian President, His support to the Palestinian cause and to the brotherly Palestinian people.

During an audience that the monarch granted to the Palestinian leader, HM King Mohammed VI reiterated Morocco's will to keep on providing all forms of support to the Palestinian cause and to the initiatives taken by the Palestinian Authority to set up the institutions of a democratic Palestinian State.

HM King Mohammed VI also reaffirmed He will pursue His efforts to gather the conditions conducive to the resumption of negotiations in order to achieve a fair, comprehensive and lasting peace, and to the establishment of an independent Palestinian State with Al-Qods Asharif (Jerusalem) as its capital, on the basis of the commitments made by the two parties and in implementation of the roadmap.

The Palestinian president, who had arrived in the North African kingdom on the same day for an official visit following his visit to the US, lauded the efforts the sovereign makes for the triumph of the Palestinian cause, the consecration of the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people and the defense of Al-Qods.

Abu Mazin also voiced his esteem for the Moroccan people, under the guidance of HM King Mohammed VI, for the full support it extends to its Palestinian brothers.

The Palestinian president, who was the guest of the TV show Maa Al Hadath (with the event) aired by the 1st Moroccan channel TVM, said his meeting with HM King Mohammed VI revolved around the present situation in Palestine, and the outcome of his visit to the United States, as well as the "position of the US about the settlement of the Palestinian issue and the American vision about the particulars of this settlement."

He further noted his discussions with the monarch also tackled bilateral relations and the reactivation of the joint committee.

The Palestinian president, who was accompanied by an important delegation, left Morocco on Sunday.

[Amira]

King chairs administrative board of Mohammed V Solidarity Foundation

HM King Mohammed VI chaired on Tuesday the administrative board of the Mohammed V solidarity foundation. It examined the 2004 accounts and assessed various achievements and projects of the foundation.

The foundation has earmarked since its inception in July 1999, MAD 2.17 billion (USD 24.5 million) to various humanitarian, social, medical and sustainable development actions, in addition to supporting associations and extending in-kind donations to social centers and schools in rural areas.

The foundation's humanitarian actions to which MAD 548.1 million (USD 49.8 million) were allocated, consists of helping victims of catastrophes, distribution of food, the welcome of Moroccans living abroad and the Iftar (fast-breaking meal) operation during the month of Ramadan.

An amount of MAD 608.5 million (USD 5.5 million) went to social actions that include building and equipping 440 centers for disabled persons, children, women and girls.

Meanwhile, the foundation spent MAD 449.6 million (USD 40 million) in medical actions, such as building hospital units and equipping hospitals, as well as MAD 449.6 million (USD 40,8 Million) in other projects to extend social services (water, electricity, literacy and education) to most destitute populations and help them into integrate the economic fabric by creating stable income-generating activities.

Associations received MAD 137.3 million (USD 12.5 million), while social centers and schools in rural areas were extended MAD 216.2 million (USD 19.6 million).

The Sovereign expressed satisfaction at the generosity of Moroccans who donated 1.25 billion MAD (USD 114 million) and the involvement of economic and social actors in the achievement of the foundation's actions for destitute persons.

As for the foundation's actions undertaken during 2004, social endeavors, worth MAD 265.4 million, focused on children schooling, particularly girls in rural regions, illiteracy control, various actions for destitute children, integration of disabled persons, broadening access to medical services, women integration and sustainable development.

In 2004, various projects, worth MAD 57.72 million (USD 5.2 million) financed by the foundation and its partners, were carried out to alleviate the sufferings of populations stricken by the earthquake that hit the North-Eastern region of Al-Hoceima in February. These actions included social projects that consisted in equipping the local hospital and health centers, building health, education and youth training centers and carrying out development projects for impecunious women.

The Sovereign instructed the foundations to grant a particular importance to children schooling, fight school dropping particularly among girls in rural areas, integrating the disabled, training women and carrying out lasting development projects.

[Amira]

King condoles Family of assassinated Moroccan expatriate


Paris, Jun. 1 - HM King Mohammed VI extended His condolence to the family of the Moroccan expatriate assassinated in the southern French town of Perpignan.


Eyewitnesses said Driss Ghaib, 43, was shot dead Sunday at the threshold of his house by a man shrouded in black. The incident came about a week after an Algerian-born Frenchman was hit to death by a group of gypsies.

The monarch's condolences were conveyed to the Ghaib Family by Morocco's ambassador to France.

The city prosecutor, Jean-Pierre Dreno, said it might be the case of score settling between persons or between communities, insisting that no other assumptions are discarded.

The new murder thrusts the city into a new cycle of confrontations between Maghreban and gypsy communities. Many Maghrebans blame police authorities for not disarming the gypsies.



PS :THE MOROCCAN AMBASSADOR Fathallah Sijilmassi IN FRANCE WITH THE VICTIM FAMILY

[Amira]

HM the King receives new members of Constitutional Council

HM King Mohammed VI received Tuesday at the Royal Palace of Marchane new four members of the Constitutional Council.

They are Leila Mrini, President of the Rabat Court of First Instance, and Chbihna Hamdati Mae El Ainine, President of the Kenitra Council of Ulema who were handed the Dahir (royal decree) appointing them members of the Constitutional Council in replacement of Saadia Belmir and Driss Alaoui Abdellaoui whose term of office as Council members has come to an end.

Amine Demnati, Wali of Guelmim-Smara Region and Governor of Guelmim, who was appointed to the Constitutional Council by the Speaker of the House of Representatives, and Abdelrazzak Moulay Rchid, who was appointed to the said Council by the Speaker of the House of Counsellors, all in accordance with the relevant provisions of the Constitutional Council, were also greeted by HM the king.

The four new members took the oath before HM the King in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution and with the Council's rules of procedure, especially those relating to renewal of a third of the Council's membership. These appointments are part of the Council's second partial renewal process.

The monarch urged the new members to show the required objectivity and integrity in discharging their duties in the Council, namely to preserve constitutional legality within this institution's mandate.

HM the King commended the complementary nature of the Council in its new composition, which reflects judicial, jurisprudential and scientific competence.

Besides, he urged all Council members to use this diversity as a driving force in their collective effort to build on their successive achievements in the judicial field, and thus give concrete illustration of HM the king's keen desire and relentless action to uphold the rule of law and enhance the institution-based State.

The ceremony was attended by Abdelaziz Benjelloun, President of the Constitutional Council.

HM the King also appointed Tuesday several ambassadors.

[Amira]

King calls on rich countries to honour commitments towards the poor

HM King Mohammed VI on Wednesday called upon the rich countries to honour their commitments towards the poorest nations, stressing however that the latter should rely on their own assets and shoulder their responsibilities.

“I should like to reiterate our call for the countries of the North to honour their commitments, mainly by implementing the agreements reached at the Monterrey Conference, and by seeking to achieve the Millennium objectives, through the mobilisation of financial resources, at national and international levels,” the monarch said in a speech at the opening of the two-day G-77 + China Summit. “Steps should also be taken to facilitate market access, reduce foreign debts, and even cancel those of the least developed countries, most of which are in Africa.”

HM King Mohammed VI, whose speech was read on his behalf by Prime Minister Driss Jettou, took this opportunity to “commend the positive step taken by the G8 to write off the debt owed to them by the least developed countries.”

The monarch said that in spite of an environment marked by economic liberalism, technological progress and declining ideological divisions, developing nations are, regrettably, still grappling with real dangers and major challenges, as a result of increasing tension spots, greater poverty and marginalisation, and the spread of deadly diseases.

However, he noted, calling on countries of the North to help make globalisation a humane, solidarity-based process, should not obscure the fact that “we are called upon, first and foremost, to rely on our own assets, and to use every opportunity to strengthen our cooperation and achieve complementarity among our nations, making the most of our economic, human and intellectual resources.”
“We must shoulder our responsibilities instead of depending on others and blaming them systematically for our ills and shortcomings.” the King insisted.

He recalled in this regard the “bold, innovative steps”, in particular the National Initiative for Human Development, and also the “sweeping reforms” carried out by Morocco in a bid to "consolidate democracy, promote human rights, build a modern, open, productive economy, and strengthen the bonds of solidarity in the new information and communication society”.

The Doha Summit, he said, is a good opportunity for the G-77 countries + China to “send a strong signal,” to the world community. This signal, he explained, was a call for prudence and wisdom, since the widening economic and technological gap between the North and the South did not only have adverse effects within developing countries, but it also posed a threat to global security in a world which has been reduced to a global village. “It is an appeal to world conscience about the problems of exclusion, poverty, seclusion as well as extremist and terrorist inclinations,” continued the monarch.

[Amira]

HM King's speech to the 13th Congress of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies


Marrakech, June 19 - Here follows HM King Mohammed VI's speech delivered on his behalf by his advisor, Abdelaziz Meziane Belfkih, on the occasion of the opening, here Sunder, of the 13th congress of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies.


Praise be to God Peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin


Distinguished Professors and members of the medical profession,
Ladies and Gentlemen,


I should like to welcome participants in the 13th Congress of the World Federation of Neurosurgical Societies. I wanted this event to be convened under my high patronage, in recognition of the relentless efforts, pioneering work and field activities your societies have successfully carried out in the complex area of neurosurgery. I also wanted to show the keen interest I take in the health sector, to which we have given priority in the National Initiative for Human Development that was launched recently and that aims to improve the conditions of the underprivileged and the handicapped.

I appreciate the fact that you have chosen Morocco to host this important Congress. We perceive this as testimony to the progress achieved by my country in neurosurgery and to the outstanding job done by the president and members of the Moroccan Society of Neurosurgery. We are proud that your Federation has chosen to convene the first ever Congress to be held in an Arab or African country, in the city of Marrakech, home to many important international gatherings. This is an opportunity for us to show how determined we are to continue supporting Africa, and to help improve public health in African countries. This Congress also provides a chance for the continent's developing nations to learn from your vast experience and to use that knowledge to address their people's needs in a most intricate field of modern medicine.

I am convinced your gathering in Morocco, which is proud of its African roots, will have a positive impact on curative medicine and scientific research on cerebrovascular diseases and related nervous system disorders, in Morocco and elsewhere in Africa.

Your Federation deserves special tribute for its decision to set up a Reference Centre in Morocco for the training of African neurosurgeons. I want you to know that, in keeping with its policy of providing concrete assistance to promote sustainable human development in Africa, my country will support all the measures to be adopted by your Congress, as well as any arrangements designed to foster cooperation between the World Federation and the Mohammed V University in Rabat.

May I take this opportunity to say how much we appreciate the support provided by several friendly nations and international institutions to help complete the construction and equipping of the National Centre for Neurosciences at the Rabat Specialist Hospital. We shall make this facility available to African patients, doctors and researchers, thereby illustrating, once again, our determination to enhance South-South cooperation and to foster effective North-South partnerships for the well-being of mankind.

I wish you every success in your Congress and a pleasant stay in Morocco, a land of fruitful cooperation and cross-cultural interaction.

Thank you.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.

[Monalisa]

HM King Mohammed VI launches social housing projects in Casablanca:


Casablanca, June 21 - Some 2,300 families will benefit from a real estate project that aims at building new housing to the people living in the "Sakouila" slum, the biggest in the Casablanca Sidi Bernoussi district.


The real estate project, launched here Tuesday by HM King Mohammed VI of Morocco, accompanied by his younger brother Moulay Rachid, consist in equipping 1,150 land lots, including 150 four-storey lodging units and revamping 3,400 others.

The MAD 335 million and 60 hectares project is to be contributed to by the housing ministry with MAD 100 million, the recipients with MAD 200 million and the revenues coming in from conventions with the private sector. The building will be phased out by providing housing to 402 families in a first stage, then to 918, 390 and 590 families.

The Sovereign also launched, in the same neighbourhood, the relocation programme of the Thomas shanty town built over 18.5 Ha and hosting some 2,887 families. The project, to be completed in four years, costs MAD 336 million.

Other underway revamping projects in Casablanca include the Lahraouine district (Casa-Anfa) which will benefit 5,350 families, cost MAD 53 million and will be completed in 14 months. The Lamkanssa quarter, hosting 5,500 families, was allocated MAD 40 million for renovation works, while the Sidi Abderrahman district received MAD 20.7 million for restructuring and equipment works.


King appoints Walis, Governors and Interior Ministry top officials:


Rabat, June 22 - King Mohammed VI of Morocco appointed, here Wednesday, Walis, governors and top officials at the Interior Ministry.

The new appointments are aimed at better meeting the needs of populations and achieving development goals set by the sovereign, particularly in human development.