Says Ambassador Chafik Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco

Ambassador Chafik Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco gives welcoming remarks at the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 31, 2019.

Ambassador Chafik Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco in Seoul said, “The diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Korea, dating back to 1962, are characterized by a deep friendship and mutual respect, as the two countries have a firm desire to raise this relationship to the highest level in different fields.”

Ambassador Chafik Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco (seventh from left, at the front row) poses with the Korean government representatives qand other ambassadors from various countries of the world at the celebration of the 20th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 31, 2019.

Speaking at the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne at Lotte Hotel on July 31, 2019, Ambassador Rachadi added that he hopes to enhance bilateral relations and that Korea will be able to accomplish more achievements to ensure security, stability, progress and prosperity as witnessed in Morocco under King Mohammed VI's rule.

(See further details of his speech toward the end of this report.)

Then came congratulatory remarks from Vice Minister Lee Ta-ho of Foreign Affairs.

He stated, “The distance between Morocco and Korea may be considerable in terms of their geographical locations, however, the partnership has continued to deepen to such an extent to be referred as the Year of Korea and Morocco”.

He added such sense of affinity and partnership was possible due to the “historical and cultural common ground”.

Vice Minister Lee Tae-Ho of Foreign Affairs gives a speech at the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne.

Vice Speaker Lee Ju-young of the National Assembly of Korea, who is concurrently the president of the National Assembly’s Forum for Africa’s New Era has also made a congratulatory remarks stating the fact that “The two countries have achieved economic development by overcoming restraints in natural resources through exports, technology and human resources.”

“Morocco has become the gateway to the African continent thanks to its geographic location and market-friendly institutional environment” he added.

The anniversary celebration at Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul, July 31, attracted members of the diplomatic corps including ambassadors and charge d'affaires, Military attachés and their spouses.

Ambassador Rachadi of Morocco (seventh from left) is flanked on the right by Vice Minister Lee Tae-Ho of Foreign Affairs and Vice Speaker Lee Ju-young of the National Assembly (on the left) with members of the traditional Korean dance troupe members.

Among the distinguished guests in presence were Vice Minister Lee Tae-Ho, of Foreign Affairs, Vice Speaker Lee Ju-young of the National Assembly and Honorary Consul General Kim Ok-Youle of the Kingdom of Morocco.

Other Korean guests in attendance at the party were representatives of various segments of Korean society, including the mass communications media, where there were representatives from various media organizations, including Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post.

Ambassador Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco (left) offers a toast with, Vice Minister Lee Tae-Ho of Foreign Affairs (second from left), Vice Speaker Lee Ju-young of the National Assembly (third from left) and Honorary Consul General Kim Ok-Youle of the Kingdom of Morocco celebrating the event by giving a toast.

Excerpts from the speech of Ambassador Chafik Rachadi:

Honorable Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.

It is my great honor and pleasure to welcome you all on the occasion of the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne, expressing my sincere thanks and appreciation for your presence and participation to this important national event, reflecting the strong ties between the throne and the people and symbolizing the values of love and allegiance, with constant willingness for the sacrifice and the loyalty, that link the King to the people and the people to the King on a basis of a firm pledge of allegiance and mutual obligations.

Honorary Consul General Kim Ok-Youle of the Kingdom of Morocco delivers a speech at the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne.

I would like to thank His Excellency Mr. LEE Tae-Ho, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, for joining us today as a representative of the Government of the Republic of Korea to share with us this celebration, assuring you of the pride we take in our mutual confidence and the friendly ties linking our two countries and people and we are grateful to him for his intriguing efforts to expand and deepen the horizons of the bilateral ties during the period from 2012 to 2015, when he served as Ambassador Extraordinary of the Republic of Korea to the Kingdom of Morocco.

Ambassador Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco and his spouse (first and second from left) poses with Ambassador Mihai Ciompec of Romania and Madam Ciompec (third and seventh from left, respectively), Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (forth from left), Director Yoon Sang-hak of Education at the Holy Eden Church and his spouse (fifth and sixth from left).

My thanks also go to their Excellencies Ambassadors, Chargés d’Affaires and Members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited to the Republic of Korea, as well as to
H.E. Mr. KIM Ok-Youle, Honorary Consul General of the Kingdom of Morocco, and to the Moroccan community present, which enhance our happiness and joy as far as the symbolic of this important occasion that’s bringing us together today.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our celebration of the 20th Anniversary of the Accession to the Throne of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, may God Glorify Him, is an occasion to evoke the achievements of the Kingdom of Morocco under the wise leadership of His Majesty in renewing the process of building our nation, pursuing the march of reforms, modernization and development and engaging in the establishment of a Citizen-Democratic State, a modern and solidary society based on pluralism, freedom, equality and equal opportunity, a society adhering to the values of moderation, openness, tolerance and dialogue among the different human cultures and civilizations.

Ambassador and Madam Chafik of Morocco (first and second from left) pose with Publisher-Chairman Lee Kyung-sik of The Korea Post media (third from left), Vice-Chairman Choi Nam-suk of The Korea Post, Director Yoon Sang-hak of education of the Holy Eden Church and his spouse (fourth to sixth from left, respectively).

The political stability and the profound reforms over the last 20 years, for which Morocco has adopted a participatory and innovative approach between the State and the private sector, enabling a faster pace of development, particularly in terms of improving the business climate and encouraging foreign investment, besides the infrastructure development, including roads and highways, airports and ports, both on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, in addition to the renewable energy plans, that have made Morocco one of the leading countries in this field.

Ambassador Rachadi of Kingdom of Morocco (sixth from left, front row) poses with other ambassadors and representative from the Korean government at the celebration venue of the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne held at Lotte Hotel on July 31, 2019.

The last 20 years achievements raised Morocco to a distinguished position at the international level thanks to the visionary and insightful choices made by His Majesty the King allowing our country to be a model for counterterrorism and for the maintenance of international security due to the successful and effective proactive security approach that the Kingdom has adopted, which has been widely appreciated by the international community.

I may not be able to invoke all the reforms and achievement by Morocco during the last two decades under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, but I would like to assure you that our country's geographical location, its cultural, historical and civilizational background, besides the value of the comprehensive and profound reforms that have been achieved have become an example of North-South cooperation and a model of South-South cooperation that can create opportunities for a prosperous future to our peoples.

Excellencies, Ladies and Gentlemen,

The diplomatic relations between the Kingdom of Morocco and the Republic of Korea, dating back to 1962, are characterized by a deep friendship and mutual respect, as the two countries have a firm desire to raise this relationship to the highest level in different fields, including the coordination of positions in various international Fora regarding issues of common interest in order to preserve international peace and security and to defend the principles of coexistence and sustainable development.

Spouses of some ambassadors pose at a reception marking the 20th Anniversary of His Majesty King Mohammed VI’s Accession to the Throne at Lotte Hotel on July 31, 2019.

In this context, I would like to highly appreciate the important and significant results of the official visit, at the end of last year, of the Korean Prime Minister, to the Kingdom of Morocco leading an important delegation of Government officials and parliamentary personalities, in addition to the successful Moroccan-Korean Economic Forum held in Casablanca on the margins of the visit of the H.E LEE Nak-Yeon, as well as, the fruitful Business Forum held in Seoul, in partnership between the ‘‘Moroccan Investment and Export Development Agency’’ (AMDIE) and the ‘‘Korea Trade Investment Promotion Agency’’ (KOTRA).

Also, the seventh session of the joint commission held, last October, in Seoul has enabled the two sides to identify future opportunities for cooperation in various fields, taking into account the importance of tripartite cooperation with African countries.

Excellencies, Ladies and gentlemen,

Please allow me at the end of this speech to reiterate my warm welcome to you for attending this ceremony, organized by the Embassy of the kingdom of Morocco in Seoul, hoping to further strengthen our relations, and that the Republic of Korea will be able to accomplish more achievements and to raise challenges in order to ensure security, stability, progress and prosperity to the friendly people of Korea.

Thank you for listening.

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