Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo Celebrates 25th Anniversary of King Mohammed VI's Ascension to the Throne
TOKYO: The Moroccan Embassy in Tokyo commemorated the 25th anniversary of the accession of King Mohammed VI to the throne of his glorious ancestors, and Ambassador Richard Boulal highlighted Morocco's many achievements during the monarch's reign and its close ties with Japan.
The celebration was attended by high-ranking government officials and businesspeople, including Digital Minister Taro Kono, Economy, Trade and Industry Minister Ken Saito, and Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs Yasushi Hosaka.
“As we mark the 68th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, our bilateral relationship is stronger than ever,” said Ambassador Bouhlal.
“The recent visit to Japan by Moroccan Foreign Minister Nasser Bourita and the productive meeting with (Foreign Minister) Yoko Kamikawa demonstrated our shared commitment to further strengthening the historic relationship based on the deep friendship between our royal families.”
“The Memorandum of Cooperation for a Strengthened Partnership signed during this visit by the Moroccan Minister of Foreign Affairs will solidify our future cooperation in a wide range of areas. In this document, the two sides reaffirmed their commitment to peace and international order in accordance with the principles of the UN Charter, and also reaffirmed their respect for national sovereignty and territorial integrity.”
Ambassador Boukhal also expressed his gratitude and satisfaction for Japan’s decision to send a METI representative to the Japanese Embassy in Rabat, saying that this will strengthen economic relations between the two countries, noting that the number of Japanese companies operating in Morocco has more than doubled over the past five years.
“Morocco has emerged as a major car manufacturer in Africa, with significant support from Japanese companies,” Ambassador Bouhlal added. “As a result, Morocco is now the 10th largest car manufacturer in the world, with export sales last year reaching $14 billion.”
Morocco has already produced the first hydrogen fuel cell car in Africa and the Arab world and currently employs over 20,000 people in the aerospace industry, working with companies such as Boeing, Airbus and Pilatus. The country also has a significant pharmaceutical industry, producing 70% of its domestic needs.
“Our country currently produces more than 38 percent of its electricity from renewable sources and aims to achieve 52 percent by 2030,” the ambassador said, adding that a major contract had been signed for a project to supply solar-generated electricity to Britain via a 4,000-km submarine cable.
He also noted that Morocco has the largest port in Africa and the Mediterranean, and that the Dakhla Atlantic port, which will be operational in 2029, will be a major maritime hub on the Atlantic coastline with a capacity of 35 million tonnes per year. The Morocco-Nigeria pipeline project will also supply gas from Nigeria to 13 African countries and Europe.
“Africa’s food security problem, which Japan is well aware of, is one of our top priorities,” Ambassador Bouhlal continued. “That’s why Morocco, a major fertilizer producer and exporter, has established fertilizer production facilities in Ethiopia and Nigeria.”
“Morocco’s various initiatives across Africa reflect its strong vision for South-South cooperation. The Atlantic Initiative, launched by His Majesty, aims to ensure free Atlantic access to the Sahel countries and promote economic integration, stability, peace, prosperity and human development. These are some of our achievements that I wanted to share with you.”
Ambassador Boulal also reminded the audience that Morocco will co-host the 2030 FIFA World Cup and congratulated Japan on its achievements at the Paris Olympics.
In response, Vice Foreign Minister Hosaka congratulated Morocco and King Mohammed VI on their success.
“On this wonderful occasion of the 25th anniversary of the accession to the throne of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, I am pleased to extend my heartfelt congratulations on behalf of the Government of Japan, His Majesty the King, the Royal Family and the people of the Kingdom of Morocco.”
“Morocco has been a long-standing friend and important partner of Japan in the Middle East and Africa region since its independence in 1956. I am very pleased that our two countries have developed excellent relations through exchanges at various levels in the public and private sectors, building on the traditional friendship between the Imperial and Royal Houses.”
Hosaka recalled the signing of a memorandum of cooperation for a strengthened partnership and the fifth Japan-Arab Economic Forum held in Tokyo this month, which he said strengthened Japan's relations with Morocco and the Arab world.
“We will continue to actively promote bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields through high-level exchanges,” Hosaka added. “In recent years, economic relations between the two countries have become increasingly close. There are now more than 70 Japanese companies operating in Morocco.”
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will continue to make every effort to improve the business and investment environment in Morocco, including the establishment of a bilateral business environment improvement committee. I hope that all business participants present here today will share in Morocco’s charm.”
“I wish good health and happiness to Ambassador Bouhlal, all members of the Moroccan Embassy in Japan, and all the distinguished guests here today.”
