“The advantage of this consulate is that it represents not only one country, but six member states of the OECS. […] This confirms the growing support for the Moroccan Sahara and the consolidation of Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces,” said Bourita at a joint press briefing with the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, Roosevelt Skerrit, following the inauguration of this diplomatic representation in Dakhla.
Bourita highlighted the depth of relations between Morocco and the Commonwealth of Dominica and the strong partnership that unites them, under the wise leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, since the meeting between the Sovereign and Skerrit six years ago.
Since that meeting, bilateral relations have experienced very significant development in all areas, the two countries have set an example of a diversified partnership in several sectors, including agriculture, human development and training, in addition to support and continuous political dialogue, noted Bourita.
He also noted the special nature of the Skerrit’s visit in the city of Dakhla, in particular, and in the Moroccan Sahara, in general; a visit with particular symbolism marked by the opening of a consulate for OECS member countries.
The minister stressed that this trip is also of great importance because of the signing of a roadmap of cooperation for the next three years, praising the personal support of the Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica, which has been “decisive” in strengthening the presence of Morocco in the Caribbean.
Skerrit’s personal and consistent positions in favor of Morocco’s territorial integrity and sovereignty over its Sahara “have been clear from day one” and have been expressed in all regional organizations and at the level of the United Nations, said Bourita.
He underlined, in this regard, that the inhabitants of the region testify to this position of solidarity and clarity, as they have participated more than once in the 24 workshops organized by the United Nations in the Caribbean region, highlighting Skerrit’s clear support to the participation of representatives of the southern provinces in these meetings as well as his refusal to all allegations relating to the representativeness of the inhabitants of these regions.
The minister said he discussed with Skerrit ways to strengthen cooperation, through this consulate, between Morocco and the Caribbean Community (CARICOM), which includes 14 countries in the Caribbean region, mentioning the possibility of working with the Prime Minister to create a forum between Morocco and CARICOM, like the Morocco-Pacific Forum held in Laayoune, three years ago.
He considered, in this context, that cooperation between the 14 member states of CARICOM and the Kingdom, from Dakhla, could be a lever to develop relations in various areas, building on very positive bilateral relations with these countries, recalling that about 12 of the 14 countries of this regional grouping have changed their position on the issue of the Moroccan Sahara.
Bourita considered it necessary to focus on a common platform of action and cooperation between Morocco and these 14 countries in the areas of agriculture, fisheries, tourism and training, among others.
“This is an important step in our bilateral relations, and it is also an important step for the development of cooperation between the Kingdom of Morocco and the countries of this region,” he concluded.
The inauguration ceremony took place in the presence of the minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Relations with the Commonwealth of Dominica, Kenneth Darroux, the Wali of the region Dakhla-Oued Eddahab, Lamine Benomar, the ambassador Director General of the Moroccan Agency for International Cooperation (AMCI), Mohamed Methqal, in addition to local elected officials.
Some 24 countries have so far opened diplomatic representations in the southern provinces of the Kingdom.
In Dakhla, the consulate of the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States will join those of the Republics of Sierra Leone, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea, Djibouti, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Guinea Bissau, Equatorial Guinea, Haiti and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).
Source: Agency Morocaine De Presse