National Day Message by H. E. Mrs. Zakia El Midaoui, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria

Morocco today is a prosperous and united country

July 30th of this year (2021), the National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco marks the celebration of the 22nd Anniversary of the accession of His Majesty King Mohammed VI to the Throne of His Glorious Ancestors.

Like many diplomatic missions accredited to Bulgaria, in this specific period which was marked by the COVID-19 pandemic, there will be no traditional reception organized by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco to the Republic of Bulgaria and to the Republic of North Macedonia.

I have been appointed as Ambassador of His Majesty the King in this lovely country for more than four years. Ever since my arrival in Bulgaria, I have been impressed by the beautiful natural scenery of this wonderful country, the friendship of Bulgarian people and the excellent relations between Morocco and Bulgaria. Therefore, I would like to say that I am lucky to work in Bulgaria as an Ambassador to continue to promote the Moroccan-Bulgarian partnership and bilateral cooperation, in the service of the mutual interests of our two peoples.

The Moroccan Throne Day celebration is an opportunity to look back at current events related to our bilateral relations, which are based on a 60-year-history of diplomatic relations. In fact, since the establishment of diplomatic ties between Morocco and Bulgaria, our two countries have enjoyed the long-standing cooperative relations, that why we should be proud of the progress which has been made in the cooperation in political, economic, cultural, educational and many other areas. The bonds of trust that Morocco and Bulgaria have been able to forge are marked by great maturity. Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, 2021 is an exceptional year since the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Bulgaria are celebrating the 60th Anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, which have developed considerably during this period at the political, socioeconomic and cultural levels, thanks to the political will and courage of our leaders, to the unfailing adherence to the principles of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit of the successive governments of the two friendly countries as well as to the pioneering spirit of the Moroccan and Bulgarian peoples.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our Bulgarian friends who have been always supporting the development of the Morocco-Bulgaria friendship and partnership. I am deeply confident that the bonds of friendship and fruitful cooperation, which unite our two nations, will continue to strengthen and to expand in other new sectors. I am satisfied to see that both countries are important partners to each other in many areas. Morocco and Bulgaria share the same desire of economic prosperity and social stability. They respect each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and support each other's efforts to achieve economic development and social progress in accordance with their own national level of development and conditions. I am driven by the ambition of making joint efforts with the Bulgarian government and other components of Bulgarian society to promote further progress in our bilateral relations.

Morocco, which considers that peace and stability imply the balance of interests between people and states, has opted for the diversification of its bilateral, regional and international partnerships, which is a strategic choice in a rapidly changing world, which does not mean a renunciation on the part of Morocco of its traditional allies, to whom it continues to honor its commitments. Thanks to the far-sighted vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is committing to the political reform and safeguarding its citizens’ rights. Morocco is not only building a more democratic and inclusive nation, but a more prosperous and peaceful one as well.

In Morocco, we believe that democracy is the best form of governance we have devised. The Kingdom has made progress, but there is still much to do, because in a democracy there is always more to do. Morocco has legislative elections this year, one that can reaffirm its status as Africa’s most successful multi-party democracy and that can further its aspirations to play a leading role on this continent promoting democracy and peace. Morocco is convinced that its next elections, to which will be invited international observers including NGO’s and journalists, are an opportunity for the country to renew its faith in itself and in its ability to choose for itself. In line with the political will of His Majesty King Mohammed VI and the aspirations of the Moroccan nation, various initiatives have been taken by the Kingdom for the socio-economic uplift of the people and for strengthening the democratic institutions in the country. These efforts have received widespread support from within the country as well as global fraternity, and this despite the desire of detractors to try in particular and in vain, by dint of "fake news", to thwart the efforts of the Kingdom and tarnish its image.

Furthermore, thanks to the leadership of our Augustus Sovereign, Morocco is making serious efforts for improvement of relations with neighboring countries, especially with African countries within, inter alia, South-South cooperation. The Moroccan interest is to see other countries grow and prosper to contribute to the world peace. Moreover, in his 22nd speech to the Nation for the Throne Day, His Majesty the King reiterated, in a unifying spirit, his sincere commitment declaring that "Morocco is committed to continuing its sincere efforts to consolidate security and stability in its African environment and Euro-Mediterranean, and more particularly in its Maghreb neighborhood", thus calling on certain neighboring countries obsessed with antagonism to "work together and without conditions for the establishment of bilateral relations based on trust, dialogue and good neighborliness", while denouncing "the closed-mindedness, amplified by the harmful influence of untruths relayed by certain media".

Indeed, since we all share this world and must work together to preserve it, Morocco contributes also to solving global challenges. As the Kingdom continues its fight against the spread of COVID-19, Morocco, state and society, have shown zero tolerance for extremism and terrorism and the nation is determined to exterminate these scourges once and for all. Based on this unwavering commitment, decisive actions by our valiant armed forces are being carried out to eradicate the threat of extremism and terrorism in all their forms. In this regard, I must pay particular tribute to the work of the security services for their crucial role in anticipating and defeating terrorist projects, especially in a region marked, inter alia, by the devastating terrorist outbreak and other global challenges as climate change and migration. The merit of the national services is such that their saving action has made it possible to protect, not only the Kingdom but many countries in other regions against the devastating terrorist threat, which has become a world human tragedy.

In addition, Morocco, which has been engaged for decades in international peacekeeping efforts, plays an increasingly important role in mediating conflicts in its neighborhood and in defending constitutional order and the rule of law, thanks to its peacekeeping forces within the United Nations, which has paid tribute to Morocco in this regard, as well as to Moroccan peacekeepers and their families for their sacrifices for world peace and security.

Strong with its cultural diversity, its historical and religious legitimacy, Morocco today offers a model of alliance of civilizations as a bulwark against withdrawal into oneself, obscurantism, extremism and intolerance.

Indeed, faced with the current situation marked by division and wars, the Kingdom continues to play a leading role in promoting dialogue between peoples, religions and civilizations, the aim being to encourage and consolidate peaceful coexistence and living together between cultures and peoples.

Let us work for our common interests, let us consolidate our common values, let’s strengthen the bridges of communication and knowledge for the benefit of our peoples and of humanity as a whole!

I love Bulgaria and Bulgarians and I wish them peace, prosperity, success and happiness.

God Bless Morocco and God Bless Bulgaria!

The photo: "Diplomatic spectrum"