UN: Morocco’s King puts Palestinian cause at top of Kingdom’s priorities

Morocco has placed the Palestinian issue at the same level as its first national cause and has made it at the top of its foreign policy priorities, said Moroccan foreign minister Nasser Bourita.

Addressing the ministerial meeting of the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), held Monday on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly convening in New York, Bourita said Rabat supports the Palestinian Authority in all its efforts to safeguard the legitimate rights of the Palestinian people.

King Mohammed VI, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), has set four imperative priorities to end the cycle of violence, said the minister, citing in this regard the urgent need to de-escalate tensions to reach a permanent ceasefire and ensure the protection of civilians in line with international law and international humanitarian law.

It is equally vital to ensure unhindered humanitarian access and the delivery of sufficient quantities of aid to Gaza inhabitants, said Mr. Bourita, calling for the settlement of the Palestinian issue on the basis of the two-state solution.

He also stressed the need to preserve the character of the city of Al Quds and its legal, cultural, historical, and demographic status as a haven of coexistence and understanding between the followers of the three monotheistic religions.

After the middle-ease crisis, Bourita touched on South-South cooperation saying Morocco places partnership with other African countries at the center of its priorities through win-win partnerships in strategic sectors such as food security, health and training.

He recalled in this regard the royal initiative offering Atlantic access to the Sahel countries for shared peace, stability and prosperity.

The importance of this initiative was also showcased in another ministerial meeting held the same day in NY under the chairmanship of US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken.

Bourita has availed the opportunity of this event held on U.S “Partnership for Atlantic Cooperation” to promote the Royal Atlantic initiative which aims to spur African development and inclusive growth.

“Through coordinated efforts between our initiatives, which are complementary to each other, we will be able to better serve the interest of the Atlantic community for shared prosperity and stability,” said the Minister, commending U.S. efforts to unite Atlantic countries from all continents around common objectives.