Morocco calls for expanding trade between Muslim countries

The fulfliment of these aims requires "the dynamisation of the projects of sustainable human development of our countries members of the (OIC), especially African ones," said the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, during the 33rd Islamic Summit of Ministers of Foreign Affairs, reported MAP news agency.

Benaissa stressed the necessity of continuing the process of edification and socio-economic development with a view to carrying out the economic and social boost, after which Islamic peoples aspire.

"Morocco works for the development of friendly relations between peoples in order to remove obstacles that may impede the bringing together, comprehension and dialogue among civilisations and cultures," he added.

In the same way, the Moroccan official evoked the call launched by HM King Mohammed VI to set up an international charter for adopting the rules of freedom of expression and opinion, and respecting sacred religious values, spiritual beliefs and cultural and civilisation assets of all the peoples of the world.

Moreover, Benaissa expressed his support of "all the initiatives aiming at modernising the OIC and developing its mechanisms to consolidate joint Islamic action, in the prospect of collectively facing the current challenges, and keeping up with the world development in economic, social and political domains."

As for the international and regional issues, the Moroccan official highlighted "the necessity of redynamising the peace process in the Middle East on the basis of the Road Map and the Arab Initiative for Peace to guarantee the establishment of a Palestinian state with Al-Qods Acharif as its capital."

In this regard, the Moroccan minister recalled that "HM King Mohammed VI, in his capacity as president of Al-Qods Committee, has been constantly calling on the international community to fully assume its responsibility to put an end to the violations in sacred precincts, and to preserve the legal status of Al-Qods Acharif and its historical identity as a land of co-existence and tolerence among revealed religions."

Morocco, added Benaissa, has also called on the international community to respect the will of the Palestinian people, who expressed, through transparent elections, their democratic choice, exhorting the international community to support the National Palestinian Authority and provide it with the necessary means to accomplish its national and international missions.

As for Iraq, the Moroccan official reiterated the conviction of the Kingdom that "Iraq would overcome this hard phase and stop violence, destruction and terrorism, which negatively affect all the layers of the population."

In addition, he underlined that the Kingdom of Morocco is committed, along with the international community, to fight terrorism and promote the principles of moderation, tolerence and dialogue.

To meet these objectives, the Moroccan minister highlighted the necessity "to work towards reaching a high level of cooperation and coordination between Islamic states, and following a reform project that is based on Islamic values and characterised by moderation and tolerence."

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