Hibapress
The new British government is “determined to strengthen the strategic partnership” that binds it with Morocco, to promote shared prosperity and strengthen national, regional and global security, affirmed the British Minister of State for Defense, Lord Vernon Coaker.
Lord Coaker, who was speaking at a reception organized on Tuesday by the Moroccan embassy in London on the occasion of the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the accession of King Mohammed VI to the Throne, expressed “the wish of the British government to further strengthen cooperation relations with Morocco.”
“As Morocco moves towards a brighter future, under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, and as the eyes of the world are focused on the Kingdom, on the occasion of the co-organization of the 2030 World Cup with Spain and Portugal, Morocco can count on the United Kingdom as an enthusiastic and reliable partner,” he assured. The minister praised, on this occasion, the “extremely important” role played by King Mohammed VI in promoting peace, stability and development in the Sahel region and West Africa, highlighting Morocco’s “great contribution” to United Nations peacekeeping operations.
“Since the accession of King Mohammed VI to the Throne, Morocco has taken important steps towards greater progress and prosperity,” stressed the British official, noting that the historical relations that exist between Morocco and the United Kingdom have also been further consolidated.
Trade between the two countries has reached high levels, he noted, citing other areas of cooperation where the two countries have continued to make progress, including education and tourism.
Military cooperation between Morocco and Britain has also seen a qualitative leap, the official said, citing training programs implemented by the two countries and joint military exercises. For his part, former British ambassador to Morocco Tim Morris said that Morocco has experienced “25 years of progress and modernization under the leadership of King Mohammed VI.”
“The Kingdom has experienced rapid economic growth, made enormous progress in human development and raised its international profile in the field of arts and culture,” he said. On the continental level, the diplomat noted that “Morocco’s place in Africa is rooted in history, since the country’s history is inseparable from the peoples of northwest Africa, just as it is from the north of the continent.”
“Morocco has established itself as a valuable partner that contributes directly to the development of Africa in the most effective way, namely the promotion of prosperity,” he noted. For his part, Anthony Layden, former British ambassador to Morocco between 1999 and 2002, reviewed the reforms launched under the leadership of King Mohammed VI, particularly in the social and human rights fields, while welcoming the determination of the Sovereign to bring the Kingdom into modernity.
Mr. Layden welcomed the “impressive” progress made in all areas under the leadership of the Sovereign.
