The Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo celebrates the 25th anniversary of King Mohammed VI's Throne Day
TOKYO: The Embassy of Morocco in Tokyo celebrated the 25th anniversary of the accession of HM King Mohammed VI to the throne of His Glorious Ancestors, with Ambassador Rachad Bouhlal highlighting his country's many achievements during the reign of its monarch and the Kingdom's close ties with Japan.
The celebration was attended by Digital Minister KONO Taro, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister SAITO Ken, and Parliamentary Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs HOSAKA Yasushi, as well as other senior officials and business executives.
“As we celebrate the 68th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, our bilateral ties are stronger than ever,” said Ambassador Bouhlal.
“The recent visit to Japan of Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and his fruitful meeting with (Foreign Minister) Yoko KAMIKAWA demonstrated our shared commitment to further strengthen our historic relations, which are based on the deep friendship between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family.”
“The Memorandum of Cooperation for a Strengthened Partnership signed during this visit by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs will consolidate our future collaboration in a wide range of areas. In this document, both parties reaffirmed their commitment to peace and international order based on the principles of the United Nations Charter, as well as respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ambassador Bouhlal also expressed his appreciation and satisfaction with Japan's decision to send a METI representative to the Japanese Embassy in Rabat, saying that this would strengthen economic ties between the two countries and noting that over the past five years, the number of Japanese companies operating in Morocco has more than doubled.
“Morocco has emerged as Africa's leading automobile producer, supported significantly by Japanese companies,” Ambassador Bouhlal added. “As a result, Morocco is now the world's tenth largest automobile producer, with export sales reaching $14 billion last year.”
Morocco has already produced the first hydrogen car in Africa and the Arab world and currently employs over 20,000 people in its aerospace sector, working with companies such as Boeing, Airbus and Pilatus. The country also has a major pharmaceutical industry and produces 70 percent of its domestic needs.
“My country now generates more than 38 percent of its electricity from renewable sources with the aim of reaching 52 percent by 2030,” the Ambassador said, adding that a major agreement had been signed with the UK for a project that will supply the UK with electricity generated from solar energy via a 4,000 km-long undersea cable.
He also noted that Morocco has the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean Sea, and the Atlantic port of Dakhla, which will be commissioned in 2029, will become a major maritime hub on the Atlantic coast with a capacity of 35 million tons per year. In addition, the Morocco-Nigeria gas pipeline project will supply gas from Nigeria to 13 African countries and Europe.
“The issue of food security in Africa, which Japan understands very well, is one of our country's top priorities,” Ambassador Bouhlal continued. “Therefore, Morocco, a major global fertilizer producer and exporter, has established fertilizer production plants in Ethiopia and Nigeria.”
“Morocco’s various initiatives in Africa reflect a firm vision of South-South cooperation. The Atlantic Initiative, launched by His Majesty, aims to ensure free access to the Atlantic Ocean for the Sahel countries, promoting economic integration, stability, peace, prosperity and human development. These are some of our successes that 1 I wanted to share with you.”
Ambassador Bouhlal also reminded the audience that Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup and congratulated Japan on its achievements at the Paris Olympics.
In response, Parliamentary Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Hosaka congratulated Morocco and King Mohammed VI on their achievements.
“On this auspicious occasion of the 25th anniversary of the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, I am pleased to extend my sincere congratulations on behalf of the Government of Japan to His Majesty, the Royal Family and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco.”
“Morocco has been a long-standing friend and important partner of Japan in the Middle East and Africa region since its independence in 1956. I am very pleased that our two countries have developed excellent relations through exchanges at various levels in both the public and private sectors, based on the traditional friendship between the Imperial Family and the Royal Family.”
Hosaka recalled the signing of the Memorandum of Cooperation for Enhanced Partnership, as well as the 5th Japan-Arab Economic Forum, held in Tokyo this month, which strengthened Japan's relations with Morocco and the Arab world.
“We will continue to vigorously promote bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields through high-level mutual exchanges,” Hosaka added. “In recent years, economic relations between the two countries have become increasingly close. Currently, there are more than 70 Japanese companies operating in Morocco.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to make every effort to improve the business and investment environment in Morocco, including the establishment of the Bilateral Business Environment Improvement Committee. I hope that every business participant here today will share the attractiveness of Morocco.”
“I would like to wish good health and happiness to Ambassador Bouhlal, all members of the Moroccan Embassy in Japan and all the distinguished guests present here today.”
