US-Israeli Delegation Calls On Moroccan Ruler, Joint-Declaration Signed
Rabat, December 23 (TNA) Moroccan ruler King Mohammed VI, accompanied by Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan on Tuesday, received a delegation comprising of Jared Kushner, Senior Adviser to the President of the United States of America, Meir Ben-Shabbat, National Security Adviser of Israel and Avrahm Berkowitz, Special Assistant to the President of the United States of America and Special Representative for International Negotiations.
During the meeting, the Moroccan King reiterated his deep satisfaction with the historic outcome of the telephone conversation he had on December 10, 2020 withDonald Trump, President of the United States of America.
The Presidential Proclamation recognizing the Moroccanness of the Sahara and the measures announced for a resumption of cooperation mechanisms with Israel constitute major developments for the promotion of peace and regional stability.
These measures concern the granting of authorization to Israeli airline companies to carry members of the Moroccan Jewish community and Israeli tourists to Morocco, the full resumption of diplomatic and official contacts and relations with Israel at the appropriate level, the promotion of dynamic, innovative bilateral economic cooperation, as well as measures for the re-opening of liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv.
His Majesty the King congratulated Kushner on the considerable work he has accomplished since his visit to Morocco in May 2018, which has made it possible to achieve this historic turning point in favour of Morocco's territorial integrity and this promising development for peace in the Middle East.
Addressing Meir, the King underlined the special bonds with the Moroccan Jewish community, particularly the members holding executive positions in Israel. King Mohammed VI reiterated the coherent, constant and unchanged position of the Kingdom of Morocco on the Palestinian question, which is grounded in the two-State solution: two States living side by side, in peace and security; negotiations between the Palestinian and the Israeli sides as the only means for achieving a comprehensive and final settlement and the commitment of His Majesty, Chairman of the Al-Quds Committee, to safeguarding the Islamic character of the Holy City.
At the end of this audience, a Joint Declaration between the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel, was signed b
The document highlights the proclamation by the United States of America on recognizing the sovereignty of the Kingdom of Morocco over the Sahara, stating that "the United States recognizes Moroccan sovereignty over the entire Western Sahara territory and reaffirms its support for Morocco's serious, credible, and realistic autonomy proposal as the only basis for a just and lasting solution to the dispute over the Western Sahara territory.
To facilitate progress toward this aim, the three countries state that the United States "will encourage economic and social development with Morocco, including in the Western Sahara territory, and to that end will open a consulate in the Western Sahara territory, in Dakhla, to promote economic and business opportunities for the region."
The three countries also recognize the historic role that Morocco has always played in bringing the people of the region closer together and promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, and given the special ties that His Majesty maintains with the Moroccan Jewish community living in Morocco and throughout the world including in Israel, according to the Joint Declaration.
It was also agreed to promote a dynamic and innovative economic bilateral cooperation and pursue cooperation on trade; finance and investment; innovation and technology; civil aviation; visas and consular services; tourism; water; agriculture, and food security; development; energy and telecommunications; and other sectors as may be agreed; and to reopen the liaison offices in Rabat and Tel Aviv, the same source added.
Based on the above, the Kingdom of Morocco, the United States of America and the State of Israel agree to commit to fully respect the elements contained in the present Declaration, promote it and defend it; to decide that each party will fully implement its commitments and identify further actions, before the end of January, reads the Joint Declaration. They also agree to act accordingly at the bilateral, regional and multilateral levels, according to the same source.