publish time

15/06/2017

publish time

15/06/2017

THE quick move made by the King of Morocco, Mohammad VI, in an effort to mend the dispute between Qatar and three GCC countries — Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates and Bahrain — received positive echo from the leaders and people of the “Gulf council”The move represents a clear indication of the king’s keenness for cohesion and unity to enhance Arabs’ strength in facing major challenges. It also indicates unity in the course and destiny despite the geographical distance between the Gulf region and the Arab region in North Africa.Through his initiative to send his foreign minister for observing the situation and presenting his opinion that will be based on active diplomatic move, King Mohammad VI has demonstrated that he stands with the Arabian Gulf countries in major aspects.Undoubtedly, this will increase Morocco’s presence in the region, not only in the sphere of political and economic cooperation, but also at the level of the people and for deepening brotherly relations between Moroccans and the people of the region.Morocco’s keenness for maintaining stability and solidarity with these countries in facing the possible negative impacts as well as combating any foreign attempts to harm security is known to both the leaders and people of this region. Past events have proven Morocco’s commitment to security, especially when its military participated in confronting the dangers that Morocco or the GCC countries had faced.This kind of politics, which is based on brotherly harmony, is part of the strategy that strives for peace, development and good international relations, as well as mutual respect among neighbors. This is the kind of politics that King Mohammad VI adopted from the time he became the king.Morocco succeeded in its endeavor to restore its position as the golden development gate of African continent, despite the major rift that occurred in the past and its negative effects on the relations among the African countries.Parallel to that, Morocco went on the path of huge economic development, managing to attract capital from various Arab and Gulf nations due to the close relations maintained by the kingdom equally with all countries of the Arab world.Because of that, Morocco has always succeeded in achieving its objectives which were set by its dynamic leadership. It managed to reduce the unemployment rate, and increase the rate of development. All these factors qualified Morocco to be a country that can undertake more strategic roles in the Arab and African regions.The visit of Morocco’s foreign minister to the region has received huge reception from the GCC countries. It has been appreciated and is regarded as valuable effort. It indicates Morocco’s keenness for maintaining good and solid relations with the six most important countries in the Middle East.The GCC countries are perceived as a single bloc and not as separate countries with different stances. In the past several years, King Mohammad VI linked his country’s success of economic movement with the positive improvement of Morocco’s relations with member states of the Gulf Cooperation Council. This means, whenever these countries are at risk, Morocco is also at risk.By Ahmed Al-JarallahEditor-in-Chief, the Arab Times