His Majesty King Mohammed VI Archives | Morocco Telegraph

Written Message from HM the King to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers

MT — Sun, 06 Aug 2023 20:20:36 +0000

His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, has written to His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers.

According to the Saudi Press Agency, the message focuses on the two nations’ strong bilateral relations and the two brotherly peoples, as well as efforts to develop and consolidate them in numerous domains.

According to the Agency, the message was delivered to Minister of State and member of the Council of Ministers, Khalid bin Abdulrahman al-Issa, who accepted it on behalf of HRH the Crown Prince during a meeting on Sunday in Riyadh with Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates, Nasser Bourita, and Minister Delegate in charge of the Budget, Fouzi Lekjaa.

The meeting provided an opportunity to examine bilateral ties and discuss measures to develop them in various domains, as well as to exchange opinions on matters of mutual concern.

The post Written Message from HM the King to HRH Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia and Chairman of the Council of Ministers appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Throne Day: Royal Pardon for 2,052 People

MT — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 21:06:56 +0000

HM King Mohammed VI has pardoned 2,052 individuals who were condemned by various Moroccan courts on the occasion of Throne Day, according to a statement issued by the Ministry of Justice.

The detained beneficiaries of the pardon are 1,769 and are divided into:

– 133 inmates who benefited from pardon over their remaining prison terms;

– 1,632 prisoners who had their prison terms reduced;

– One inmate who had her death sentence commuted to life inprisonment;

– 3 inmates who had their prison sentences commuted from life imprisonment to fixed prison terms.

The free beneficiaries of the pardon are 283 and are divided into:

– 80 prisoners who benefited from pardon over their prison sentences or remaining prison term;

– 14 inmates who benefited from pardon over their imprisonment terms while their fines were maintained;

– 180 people had their fines annulled;

– 8 people benefited from pardon over their imprisonment terms and their fines were annulled;

– One person benefited from pardon over their remaining prison term and had their fine annulled.

Royal pardon is customary in Morocco to mark national and religious holidays.

The post Throne Day: Royal Pardon for 2,052 People appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

His Majesty the King Receives Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib

MT — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 20:59:57 +0000

Abdellatif Jouahri, Wali (governor) of Bank Al-Maghrib, was received by His Majesty King Mohammed VI on Saturday at the Royal Palace in Tetouan along with HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and HRH Prince Moulay Rachid. He gave the Sovereign the Central Bank’s annual report on the economic, monetary, and financial situation for the fiscal year 2022.

Jouahri noted in his speech before His Majesty the King that the Moroccan economy only grew by 1.3 percent in 2022 compared to 8 percent in 2021, despite being affected by a difficult global environment and a particularly severe drought.

He also emphasized that the public finance position was still improving, with the budget deficit down to 5.2 percent of GDP, despite the challenging economic environment and the efforts made to mitigate the effects of price increases on individuals and businesses.

He stated that in response, Bank Al-Maghrib tightened its monetary policy to get inflation back to levels consistent with the goal of price stability. As a result, at the end of the year, the Bank increased its key rate to 2.5%.

Additionally, it continued to satisfy all of the banks’ demands for liquidity, ensuring adequate funding of the economy. It also continued with the implementation of its initiatives for very tiny, small, and medium-sized businesses (VSMEs).

Jouahri affirmed that the enormous changes in the global landscape, including geopolitical fragmentation, the rise of economic sovereignty, the recurrence of extreme climate phenomena, and the worsening of water stress, foreshadow significant challenges our country will have to face in the years to come.

In reaction to these changes, he stressed the importance of improving the adaptability and agility of public policy as well as boosting the resilience of the country’s economy.

To this purpose, the Governor made it clear that the growth of the human capital should continue to take precedence. In this regard, he described how two key initiatives offer hope for a qualitative improvement: the first is the generalization of social protection, which His Majesty the King announced in 2021, and the second is the reform of the educational system, for which significant efforts have been made in recent years.

In terms of the economy, the Governor emphasized that the public sector reform, which His Majesty the King had asked for in 2020, would enable addressing the fundamental dysfunctions of public institutions. The significant mobilization to increase private investment in response to His Majesty’s most recent speech provides hope for a fresh impetus for growth and employment.

The Governor also stressed the necessity of rationalizing public resources, which is now a necessity and necessitates the acceleration of various initiatives that would free up buffers required to strengthening social safety nets. The 2013 subsidy reform and the pension reform must be completed as soon as possible.

The Governor of Bank Al-Maghrib noted that the recurring external shocks since 2020 have shown the economic system’s flaws and the susceptibility of some population groups. It did, however, also highlight the resilience that Morocco has built up as a result of the reforms made over the past 20 years and the economic diversification policy.

In this regard, Jouahri recalled how, under His Majesty’s leadership, Morocco had established itself as a reliable partner and a place of peace and stability on the global stage. The removal of the nation from the grey lists of the FATF and the EU, the IMF’s Flexible Credit Line, and the hosting of the IMF and World Bank Annual Meetings in Marrakech were all important advantages.

The Central Bank’s annual report on the economic, monetary, and financial position for the year 2022 was presented at this time by Abdellatif Jouahri to HM King Mohammed VI, may God help Him.

The post His Majesty the King Receives Wali of Bank Al-Maghrib appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

HM the King Delivers Speech to Nation on Throne Day (Full text)

MT — Sat, 29 Jul 2023 20:44:38 +0000

Tetouan – His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, delivered, on Saturday, a speech to His faithful people on the occasion of the 24th anniversary of the Sovereign’s accession to the throne of His glorious ancestors.

Here follows the full text of the Royal speech:

“Praise be to God,

May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin

Dear Citizens,

Almighty God has blessed our country with permanent interaction and spontaneous cohesion between the Throne and the people.

This has enabled Morocco to build a Nation-State, which is steeped in history.

I praise the Almighty for the help He has granted me and the success He has bestowed upon me, thus making it possible for us to make a great many achievements, and face up to difficulties and challenges.

Moroccans are known, by the Grace of the Almighty, for their honesty and optimism, for their tolerance and openness, and for the pride they take in their time-honored customs and their unified national identity.

And they are known, in particular, for their seriousness and dedication to work.

Today, as our development trajectory reaches a new stage of maturity, we need that seriousness to move on to a different level and open up new horizons with respect to the major reforms and large-scale projects Moroccans deserve.

Dear Citizens,

What I am calling for is not an empty slogan, nor is it a mere pronouncement to be taken at face value. Rather, it is an integrated concept rooted in a set of practical principles and human values.

The more we commit to seriousness, the more successful we shall be in overcoming difficulties and rising to challenges.

Whenever the conditions are right, and each time they commit to seriousness and to the spirit of patriotism, Moroccan youth always manage to dazzle the world with great, unprecedented accomplishments, and the feat of our national football team in the last World Cup is a case in point.

As acknowledged, both in Morocco and around the world, our sons provided some of the best illustrations of patriotism and unity, as well as family and community cohesion. They made me and the entire Moroccan people proud.

That same spirit guided my decision to make a joint bid with our friends, Spain and Portugal, to host the 2030 World Cup Finals, which I hope will be an historic event at all levels.

This is an unprecedented candidacy which brings together two continents – Africa and Europe – as well as two civilizations; a candidacy which unites the two shores of the Mediterranean and reflects the ambitions and aspirations of the peoples of the region for further cooperation, interaction and understanding.

Seriousness is also reflected by the creativity and innovation shown by Moroccan youth in various fields.

In this regard, I wish to commend, in particular, the manufacturing of the first Moroccan-made, locally produced and financed car, as well as the presentation of the first hydrogen-powered car prototype developed by a young Moroccan.

These projects attest to Moroccan genius and to the confidence in the energy and capabilities of our youth. Such achievements encourage our youth to work harder and be innovative. They also promote the “Made in Morocco” brand and strengthen our country’s position as a hub for productive investment.

Seriousness also manifests itself in the way we deal with the question of our territorial integrity.

It is that seriousness, coupled with the legitimacy of our cause, which led to a series of decisions to recognize Morocco’s sovereignty over its southern provinces – the latest being that of the State of Israel – as well as to open consulates in Laayun and Dakhla, not to mention the growing support for the Autonomy Initiative.

In keeping with the same sense of seriousness and resolve, I reaffirm Morocco’s unwavering position regarding the just cause of Palestine and the legitimate right of our Palestinian brothers and sisters to set up their independent State, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to make sure all peoples in the region enjoy security and stability.

Seriousness must remain our guiding beacon, in life as in work, and it should prevail in all sectors:

Seriousness in political, administrative and judicial affairs by serving the citizen, selecting qualified people, making sure the best interests of the nation and the citizens are prioritized, and rising above narrow considerations.

Seriousness should also prevail in the social field, especially in the areas of health, education, employment and housing.

The seriousness I am advocating also concerns economic stakeholders, as well as the investment, production and business sectors.

As the pillar of a full-fledged system, seriousness requires that managers and public office holders be held to account, and that the principles of good governance, hard work, merit and equal opportunity be upheld.

Dear Citizens,

The repercussions of the current global crisis, coupled with the successive droughts our country has faced, have contributed to an increase in the cost of living and a slowdown in economic growth.

Therefore, I have instructed the government to take the necessary measures to mitigate the negative effects of the current situation on the social segments and sectors that are most affected, and to make sure basic products are available on the market.

With the emergence, today, of some signs of a gradual easing of inflationary pressures at the global level, we are in great need of seriousness and confidence. We must also make the most of new opportunities to enhance the resilience of our economy and promote recovery.

With that in mind, I have launched the OCP Group green investment project and accelerated the implementation of the renewable energy agenda.

Following the meeting I chaired in this regard, the government prepared the “Morocco Offer” project in the field of green hydrogen.

I invite the government to speed up the implementation of this project, to make sure the requirements of quality are observed, to leverage our country’s significant potential in this regard, and to meet the expectations of leading global investors in this promising field.

To complete the implementation of the social protection project, I expect the payment of social benefits to the families concerned to start at the end of this year, as planned.

I hope this direct income will contribute to improving the living conditions of millions of families and children, whose suffering I am sensitive to.

God willing, this measure will be a key component of our development and social model to preserve the dignity of our citizens.

As regards water resource management – a sector requiring greater commitment and vigilance – I have made sure a national water program for the period 2020-2027 is developed.

I call for strict monitoring of all implementation stages and stress that there will be zero tolerance for any form of mismanagement, or chaotic, irresponsible use of water resources.

Dear Citizens,

Given the disruptions affecting the global value system and frame of reference, and considering the repercussions of a number of overlapping crises, we really need to commit to seriousness in the original Moroccan acceptation of the term:

• Firstly: by adhering to religious and national values, and to our everlasting motto: God – the Homeland – the King;

• Secondly: by remaining steadfastly attached to our country’s national unity and territorial integrity;

• Thirdly: by preserving social and family bonds, which are conducive to a cohesive, solidarity-based society;

• Fourthly: by pressing ahead with our development agenda to achieve economic advancement and promote justice at social and territorial levels.

Dear Citizens,

My endeavors to serve the Moroccan people are not limited to domestic issues only. I am also keen to establish solid relations with sister nations and friendly countries, particularly our neighbors.

In recent months, many people have been wondering about Moroccan-Algerian relations. They are stable, and we look forward to seeing them improve.

In this regard, I should like to tell the leaders and people of our sister nation, Algeria, that no evil will ever be done to them, nor will any harm ever come to them from Morocco. I want them to know that we attach special importance to the bonds of affection, friendship, exchange and interaction between our peoples.

I pray to Almighty God for things to return to normality, and for the opening of borders between the two neighboring, sister countries and peoples.

Dear Citizens,

I should like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation and pay tribute to all components of the Royal Armed Forces, the National Security Forces, the Royal Gendarmerie, the Auxiliary Forces and the Emergency Services for their constant mobilization, under my leadership, to defend our homeland’s unity, security and stability.

I also pray to Almighty God for mercy and forgiveness for the nation’s righteous martyrs, particularly my revered grandfather, His late Majesty King Mohammed V, and my venerable father, His late Majesty King Hassan II – may they rest in peace.

There is no better way to conclude my address than with these words of the Almighty:

“As for those who believe and do good, We certainly never deny the reward of those who are best in deeds.” True is the Word of God.

Wassalamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.”

The post HM the King Delivers Speech to Nation on Throne Day (Full text) appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

Burkina Faso Applauds Morocco’s Constant Efforts, Under the Wise and Enlightened Leadership of HM the King, to Promote Peace and Development in Africa

Ahlam Ben Sahraoui — Fri, 09 Jun 2023 20:56:25 +0000

Dakhla – On Friday, Burkina Faso welcomed Morocco’s ongoing initiatives to advance peace and prosperity in Africa, which are being led by His Majesty the King, a wise and enlightened leader.

“The Burkinabe side welcomed the constant efforts made by Morocco, under the wise and enlightened leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God help him, to promote peace and development in Africa,” states the joint statement released at the conclusion of the fourth Joint Cooperation Commission session, held in Dakhla under the joint presidency of Minister of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation, and Moroccan Expatriates Nasser Bourita and his Burkinabe counterpart.

The two ministers emphasized that the Sahel area in particular and the Kingdom of Morocco in general both share the ambition to maintain peace and stability on the African continent.

In addition, they expressed satisfaction at how their opinions on the many topics were converging, and they reaffirmed their commitment to taking part in attempts to settle disputes in Africa.

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) is currently being implemented, and all sides reaffirmed the commitment of their leaders to collaborate in order to bring about long-term peace and economic growth on the continent of Africa.

As for Morocco, Bourita stressed that Burkina Faso will always find a partner in Morocco who is steadfastly committed to promoting and supporting its initiatives for stability and development. He also expressed Morocco’s full solidarity with Burkina Faso in its unwavering efforts to combat terrorism and violent extremism.

Rouamba praised Morocco for its steadfastness and assistance in helping Burkina Faso in the face of security and humanitarian issues.

Along with praising each other’s support for one another in continental and international fora, the two parties agreed to step up conversations in an effort to bring their viewpoints closer together.

They acknowledged their satisfaction with each other’s unwavering support of one another in numerous continental and worldwide platforms.

To achieve this, the two parties decided to continue supporting Morocco’s and Burkina Faso’s bids for these organisations in a coordinated and reciprocal way.

The post Burkina Faso Applauds Morocco’s Constant Efforts, Under the Wise and Enlightened Leadership of HM the King, to Promote Peace and Development in Africa appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

King Mohammed VI Congratulates President Erdogan on Re-Election

MT — Tue, 30 May 2023 16:23:36 +0000

Recep Tayyip Erdogan has received a message from King Mohammed VI congratulating him on his reelection as president of Turkey.

The Sovereign of Morocco sent his warmest congratulations on continuing to guide the Turkish people toward “greater progress and prosperity.”

King Mohammed VI praised President Erdogan for the Turkish people’s restored faith in him in his letter as well.

The King expressed his satisfaction with the strong and productive cooperative ties that exist between the two nations, highlighting the shared commitment to bolstering and promoting them across a variety of areas.

The sovereign reaffirmed his commitment to working closely with President Erdogan to improve ties between Morocco and Turkey.

King Mohammed VI emphasized the connections’ enormous potential for achieving both countries’ aspirations and fostering greater unity among the Muslims in the Islamic Ummah.

Cooperation in a variety of areas, including politics, trade, culture, and tourism, has been facilitated by the ties between Morocco and Turkiye. Both nations have frequently expressed a desire to advance shared goals and cooperate for regional stability and prosperity.

As a result of his victory over Kemal Kilicdaroglu in the runoff vote on Sunday, Recep Tayyip Erdogan has been elected president of Turkey for a third time.

With 99.43% of the votes counted, Erdogan had received more than 52% of the votes, while Kilicdaroglu had received close to 48%, according to the Supreme Election Council (YSK) of Turkey’s preliminary official results. These outcomes support Erdogan’s election victory.

The post King Mohammed VI Congratulates President Erdogan on Re-Election appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

HM unveils the first model of a Moroccan car brand, prototype of a hydrogen vehicle

MT — Mon, 15 May 2023 20:14:04 +0000

The presentation ceremony for the prototype of a hydrogen vehicle developed by a Moroccan and the model of the first Moroccan automaker took place on Monday at the Royal Palace in Rabat. These two innovative projects will help to promote the “Made In Morocco” label and solidify the Kingdom’s position as a viable auto manufacturing hub. May God help King Mohammed VI.

The King was presented with a car by a company called “Neo Motors” that is financed by Moroccan capital as well as the NamX company’s HUV (Hydrogen Utility Vehicle) prototype, demonstrating the Sovereign’s desire to support and encourage the innovative national entrepreneurial initiatives and the creative abilities that these projects represent, especially in the youth of Morocco.

These two industrial projects are in keeping with the High Royal Directions, which seek to influence private investment toward productive ventures, particularly in the advanced and future industries, and to encourage the formation of a new breed of businesses in the Kingdom.

They also support the King’s long-range plans for sustainable growth and the promotion of renewable energy sources, particularly the developing sector of green hydrogen.

The Neo Motors firm has established an industrial facility in Ain Aouda (Rabat-Salé-Kenitra Region), with a projected annual capacity of 27,000 units and a local integration rate of 65%, to produce motor cars for the local market and for export.

580 jobs will eventually be created as a result of this project’s estimated 156 million dirham total investment.

In February 2023, the National Agency for Road Safety gave the first vehicle its final clearance. The company has begun pre-production and intends to open the industrial unit in June 2023 as well as to start marketing.

National expertise is being used to complete this project, which gives rise to the first Moroccan consumer automobile brand. It mostly depends on the local automotive supply network that the Kingdom has built.

The Italian design studio and coachbuilder Pininfarina worked together to create the NamX prototype of its hydrogen-powered automobile. Moroccan expertise were used to create the inside design of the car.

In fact, the HUV model will be supplied with hydrogen by a central tank that will be complemented by six removable capsules, ensuring a large degree of autonomy and allowing the hydrogen recharge in a matter of minutes.

This pilot initiative firmly embeds Morocco in the global movement to create new modes of transportation that are both effective and environmentally responsible.

Nassim Belkhayat, the founder and CEO of Neo Motors, and Faouzi Annajah, the president and creator of NamX, received the Wissam Al Kafaa Al Fikria on this occasion from His Majesty the King, may God help Him.

Ryad Mezzour, the minister of industry and trade, was present at this ceremony.

The post HM unveils the first model of a Moroccan car brand, prototype of a hydrogen vehicle appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

King sends order of the day to Royal Armed Forces on 67th Anniversary of FAR creation

MT — Sun, 14 May 2023 18:48:11 +0000

King Mohammed VI of Morocco delivered a speech to officers, non-commissioned officers, and non-commissioned troops to commemorate the 67th anniversary of the founding of the Royal Armed Forces (FAR).

He thanked the FAR members in his address for their commitment to the protection of the country and its citizens. He emphasized the significance of the FAR’s contribution to protecting the nation’s territorial integrity and urged ongoing work to strengthen the planning and command system, create a vast network for information and communication, and maintain alertness and adaptability in the face of shifting global dynamics.

The King emphasized the necessity for logical and superior methods of enhancing the FAR’s defensive, operational, and logistical capabilities.

In order to foster a space for the development of analytical, civil, and military skills, he announced the establishment of the Royal Center for Defense Studies and Research within the Royal College for Higher Military Education. This will help to dedicate the strategic approach in the treatment of the issues and challenges facing the defense and security system in its global dimensions.

The King emphasized the significance of upholding strong structural ties with numerous allies and partners, which have significantly strengthened Morocco’s defense system and solidified the capital of its armed forces as a trustworthy partner in establishing security and spreading values of tolerance and peace in accordance with international agreements.

He praised the FAR for maintaining its openness to the outside world, which is demonstrated by the expansion of alliances with friendly nations’ armies, the active participation of Moroccan contingents in peacekeeping missions, and the stepping up of aid to kin African nations in the areas of education and training at Moroccan military schools and institutes.

Finally, the King praised the FAR’s initiatives in managing crises, providing aid, and fostering social cohesion, including the mobilization of military cadres to promote the creation of a new promotion of conscripts to military duty.

He emphasized the value of providing conscripts with both fundamental military training and professional certification in order to assist them develop their technical, physical, and psychological skills. The King ended by expressing his admiration for the FAR and its members as well as their commitment to the safety and prosperity of the nation.

The post King sends order of the day to Royal Armed Forces on 67th Anniversary of FAR creation appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

King Mohammed VI presides over a working session on the drinking water supply plan

MT — Wed, 10 May 2023 10:52:04 +0000

Here follows a statement by the Royal Office:

“His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist Him, chaired, today at the Royal Palace in Rabat, a working session devoted to the follow-up of the National Program for Drinking Water Supply and Irrigation 2020-2027.

This meeting is part of the interest and high concern of His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, to the strategic issue of water, which has been the subject of important Royal Directions contained in the Opening Speech of the Parliament, last October, and three working sessions chaired by the Sovereign.

During this session, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, made a presentation to the Sovereign on the water situation and on the progress of the implementation of the various components of this Program.

Thus, in accordance with the High Royal Instructions aimed at accelerating this Program and updating its consistency, a significant additional investment has been granted, bringing its overall budget to 143 billion dirhams. In this context, the following measures have been taken:

– The acceleration of the project to interconnect the Sebou, Bouregreg and Oum Er-Rbia water basins, with the ongoing implementation of the urgent 67 km long interconnection section;

– The programming of new dams and the updating of the costs of about twenty dams planned, thus allowing to increase the storage capacity of 6.6 billion m3 of fresh water;

– Accelerating non-conventional water mobilization projects, through the programming of seawater desalination plants and the increase of treated wastewater reuse capacities;

– Strengthening the supply of drinking water to the rural world, by extending coverage to more douars and strengthening the logistical and human resources mobilized.

In addition, and in view of the climatic and hydric situation which has had a negative impact on the agricultural campaign and the availability of pastures this year, His Majesty the King, may God assist Him, has given His High Instructions to the government to activate, as in the previous year, the emergency measures of the Program to fight against the effects of drought.

Finally, the Sovereign urged the concerned departments and organizations to double their vigilance in this vital field and to show efficiency in the realization of the programmed projects according to the established schedule.

This working meeting took place in the presence of the Head of Government, Mr. Aziz Akhannouch, the Advisor to HM the King, Mr. Fouad Ali El Himma, the Minister of Interior, Mr. Abdelouafi Laftit, the Minister of Economy and Finance, Ms. Nadia Fettah, the Minister of Equipment and Water, Mr. Nizar Baraka, the Minister of Energy Transition and Sustainable Development, Ms. Leila Benali, and the Director of the National Office of Electricity and Drinking Water, Mr. Abderrahim El Hafidi.

The post King Mohammed VI presides over a working session on the drinking water supply plan appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.

HRH Princess Lalla Meryem Arrives in London to Represent HM the King at Coronation Ceremony of King Charles III

MT — Thu, 04 May 2023 20:45:38 +0000

London – HRH Princess Lalla Meryem arrived in London on Thursday to represent His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God assist him, at the coronation ceremony of King Charles III, scheduled for Saturday.

Upon her arrival at Farnborough Airport, HRH Princess Lalla Meryem was welcomed by a special representative of the British Foreign Minister and the Ambassador of His Majesty the King accredited to London.

The Princely Procession then left the airport for the residence of Her Royal Highness.

The post HRH Princess Lalla Meryem Arrives in London to Represent HM the King at Coronation Ceremony of King Charles III appeared first on Morocco Telegraph.