RABAT– HM King Mohammed VI, accompanied by HRH Crown Prince Moulay El Hassan and HRH Prince Moulay Rachid, on Friday delivered a speech to the Parliament at the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative year of the 11th Legislature.
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
Honorable Members of Parliament,
It gives me pleasure to address you today, at the opening of this legislative year, and through my message to you, the various bodies, institutions and citizens, regarding the latest developments concerning the Moroccan Sahara, which is the foremost cause of all Moroccans.
Since I ascended the throne, I have been saying, with respect to the question of our territorial integrity, that we are bound to move from a management stage, to a stage in which we change the situation, both domestically and at the external level, all dimensions considered.
I have also called for a shift in our approach, from reacting to developments to taking the initiative and being decisive and proactive.
With that in mind, we have worked for years, with resolve and patience, guided by a clear vision. We have used all the means at our disposal to publicize the just position of our country, as well as our historical and legitimate rights regarding our Sahara, notwithstanding a challenging and complex international environment.
Today, the truth is out, by the Grace of the Almighty. In fact, truth always prevails over any other claims, as do just causes.
Almighty God says: “And say, ‘Truth has now arrived, and falsehood perished: for falsehood is (by its nature) bound to perish'”. True is the Word of the Almighty.
In this regard, the French Republic now supports the sovereignty of the Kingdom over the entire territory of the Sahara. It also backs the Autonomy Initiative within the framework of Morocco’s territorial integrity as the sole basis for resolving this artificial regional conflict.
I wish to take this opportunity to offer, personally and on behalf of the Moroccan people, our most sincere thanks and to express our gratitude to France and to His Excellency President Emmanuel Macron, for this unequivocal support for the Sahara as a Moroccan territory.
Through this positive development, justice and legitimacy have been upheld, and so have Morocco’s historical rights, especially since this recognition emanates from a major country, which is a permanent member of the Security Council and an influential player on the global stage.
What is more, France is fully aware of the ins and outs of this regional conflict.
This recognition also supports the efforts exerted at the United Nations level to lay the groundwork for a political process that would lead to a final settlement of this issue within the framework of Moroccan sovereignty.
Honourable Members of Parliament,
France’s position is part of the positive momentum that characterizes the question of the Moroccan Sahara. That momentum confirms Morocco’s sovereignty over its territory and increases international support for the Autonomy Initiative.
By the Grace of Almighty God, we have been able to secure the recognition of influential countries which are permanent members of the Security Council, such as the United States of America and France.
In addition to that, we take pride in the stances of Arab and African sister nations, which have been clearly and steadfastly backing the Kingdom’s territorial integrity, especially the countries that have opened consulates in Laayun and Dakhla.
