The Moroccan Monarch Mohammed VI has expressed deep concern over the "catastrophic" situation the Arab World is currently going through.
In his address to the nation marking the 15th anniversary of his accession to the Alawite throne, King Mohammed VI said that the crises in both Syria and Iraq prove the seriousness of the situation the Arab world is currently facing, describing it as "a predicament which is fueled by the politics of exclusion and sectarian strife".
He added that the situation is much more than just a regional crisis, but rather a fertile breeding ground for the most violent forces of extremism and terror which seriously put Arab and global security and stability at risk.
He stressed that "today, more than ever, we need a comprehensive Arab order based on economic integration and political unity and cohesion to turn the Arab world into an influential geopolitical force in the international arena".
He voiced pride in his country’s "brotherly bonds" and "special partnership" with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states.
The Moroccan Monarch reiterated his "strong condemnation" of the "brutal" Israeli aggression in the Gaza Strip.
Regarding the Arab Maghreb Union, he reaffirmed his keenness to "seeing a strong union built on the firm foundation of solid bilateral relations and integrated economic projects".
As for the growing security threats, particularly in the Sahel and Sahara region, he called for a "collective action" to deal with terrorist groups, which find allies in separatist movements, human trafficking gangs and arms and drug dealers and represent the most serious threat to regional and international security.
He reiterated Morocco’s desire to bolster its distinguished relations with the European Union, and consolidate its "special" and "historical" relations with the USA.
Concerning internal affairs, he reaffirmed his commitment to the "autonomy initiative" for Morocco’s southern provinces.
He said that Morocco’s "development model" has reached a level of "maturity" that enables the country to adopt advanced, precise standards to assess the effectiveness of public policies and determine the extent to which they have a tangible effect on the citizens’ lives.