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Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in Japan |
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Joint statement on Friendship, Partnership and Cooperation between Japan and the Kingdom of Morocco
At the invitation of the Government of Japan, His Majesty the King of Mohammed VI of the Kingdom of Morocco paid a state visit to Japan from November 27th to November 30th, 2005. The first visit ever by a Moroccan monarch to Japan on the eve of the 50th Anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Morocco, marks a new chapter for the existing friendly and cooperative, and consistent relations between the two countries. On November 28th, His Majesty Mohammed VI met Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress. Their Majesties the Emperor and Empress hosted a State Banquet in his honour at the Imperial Palace. On the occasion of the visit, His Excellency Prime Minister Junichiro Koizumi and His Majesty King Mohammed VI held a meeting and discussed a variety of issues both bilateral and international, and the following statement was issued: 1. Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the steady development of the friendly and cooperative relations between Japan and the Kingdom of Morocco, reaffirming their common determination to further strengthen the bilateral ties, in particular, in the political, economic and cultural areas, and signed the following documents during the visit. - Memorandum on Policy Consultations between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of the Kingdom of Morocco. - Memorandum on the Promotion of Cultural Exchanges between Japan and the Kingdom of Morocco. - Exchange of Notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for two Yen Loan projects (Sewerage System Development Project and Rural Electrification Project(III)). - Exchange of Notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for Non-project Grant Aid. - Exchange of Notes between the Government of Japan and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for the Cultural Grant Aid project (the Improvement of Sound, Lightning and Audio Visual Equipment of the National Library of the Kingdom of Morocco). Both sides expressed their satisfaction over the recent decision to waive visa requirements for Moroccan and Japanese citizens holding diplomatic and official passports on a reciprocal basis. 2. Sharing the view that the strengthening of economic ties is one of the keys to developing the overall bilateral relations, both sides recognized the need for both Governments to make further efforts to promote investments and trade through providing business information and dispatching business missions. 3. The Moroccan side expressed its deep appreciation for the consistent support of the Government of Japan, through economic and technical cooperation. The Japanese side expressed its support for Morocco’s efforts for various reforms and the Moroccan side reiterated its determination to continue such efforts. The Japanese side also expressed its support for the National Initiative for Human Development (INDH) as Morocco’s significant effort for economic and social development and expressed its readiness to continue its ODA based on the present policy, which is in line with the initiative. 4. Both sides expressed their commitment to make joint efforts for the success of various cultural events planned on the occasion of the celebration of 50 years of diplomatic relations and Japan-Morocco Friendship. Both sides also decided to cooperate in the area of protection and rehabilitation of cultural heritages. 5. Both sides shared the common view that there is a new window of opportunity to advance the Middle East Peace Process following Israel’s withdrawal from Gaza Strip. This was a positive step towards the implementation of the Roadmap. The International community is requested to encourage the two parties concerned to resume their negotiations in order to reach a just and comprehensive peace. Both sides urged the international community to generate economic and financial support for the Palestinian National Authority in order to help strengthen its ability to assume its responsibility toward rebuilding its economy and infrastructures. Both sides decided to make joint efforts to play a constructive role to this end. 6. Both sides reaffirmed that the reforms in the Middle East and North Africa region should be pursued in accordance with the principle of ownership and respect of diversity of each country, as upheld by the G8-BMENA Partnership for Progress and a Common Future. They thereby reiterated the sovereign right of each country, within its national unity and territorial integrity, to freely develop its own democratic, socio-cultural system, consistent with the principles of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights and the United Nations Charter. In this context, the Japanese side highly valued Morocco’s hosting of the “Forum for the Future” in Rabat last December. 7. Both sides shared the view on the need for comprehensive reform of the United Nations to enhance its effectiveness and credibility so that it will be able to tackle the challenges of the 21st century, and both sides also recognized that early reform of the Security Council is an essential element of the overall effort to reform the United Nations. Recognizing the outstanding contribution of Japan to international peace and development, the Moroccan side considers that it is legitimate that Japan should play greater role and have more responsibilities in the management of world matters. 8. The Moroccan side praised Japan’s contribution in promoting African development. In this regard, the Japanese side reiterated its commitment to support the development of Africa’s effort to promote its development and expressed its intention to continue to play an active role through the TICAD process. In this context, both sides decided to further enhance Japan-Morocco triangular cooperation, building upon the previous achievements, for the promotion of South-South Cooperation in Africa. |
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