Rabat: Under the impetus of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco continues on a sustained development path, driven by a forward-looking royal vision and long-term action founded on stability, solidarity, and the implementation of strategic projects, said Belgian Minister of State, André Flahaut.
According to Agence Marocaine De Presse, Flahaut emphasized that since the enthronement of King Mohammed VI, Morocco has experienced remarkable progress across numerous sectors at an exceptionally rapid pace. Speaking in an interview on the occasion of the 27th anniversary of the Sovereign’s accession to the Throne, Flahaut highlighted Morocco’s development model, which is based on institutional stability, economic growth, and social cohesion. He stressed that one of the Kingdom’s greatest strengths lies in its ability to anticipate challenges through stable governance, which has enabled the implementation of long-term structural reforms in strategic sectors.
Flahaut, who also served as president of the Belgian Cha
mber of Representatives, pointed out the expansion of infrastructure, the modernization of public services, and the progress achieved in recent years in the social, education, and healthcare sectors. He commended the Moroccan authorities’ unwavering commitment to combining economic development with social progress.
This approach, he said, explains Morocco’s development strategy, which is based on the convergence of political stability, openness to the world, and the ability to reconcile economic reforms with social priorities. In this context, the Belgian minister of State praised Morocco’s firm commitment to building a social state at a time when several European countries are pursuing austerity policies that have, in some cases, led to cuts in spending on education and social services. The Kingdom demonstrates that with ambition and strong political will, it is possible to build robust development policies even without oil resources, Flahaut added.
Referring to Morocco’s openness to its regional and inter
national environment, the minister noted that the Kingdom has gradually established itself as a credible, reliable, and respected partner, both in Africa and in Europe. Morocco now plays a driving role on the African continent and, in light of the numerous initiatives launched by King Mohammed VI to promote South-South cooperation and Africa’s development, can be regarded as Africa’s flagship. Flahaut highlighted the Sovereign’s leadership and the Kingdom’s ability to rally cooperative initiatives for the benefit of African peoples.
The former Belgian minister of Defence also praised the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to peace, mediation, and stability in Africa, stating that any initiative aimed at promoting dialogue, cooperation, and solidarity among peoples deserves to be encouraged and supported. For Flahaut, Morocco has also established itself as an indispensable partner with which Europe is called upon to further strengthen its cooperation.
Furthermore, he underscored the depth of Moroccan-Belgian rel
ations, rooted in a shared history and particularly strong human and economic ties. He paid tribute to the heroic role played by Moroccan riflemen in Belgium during the Second World War and lauded their contribution to the liberation of Europe from Nazi forces. He also highlighted the significant contribution of the Moroccan community to Belgian society, describing it as a key driver of lasting rapprochement between the two countries in the economic, social, cultural, and human spheres.
In conclusion, he said that the celebration of the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the Throne provides a valuable opportunity to recall our shared history, reaffirm our ties, and strengthen them further so that, in a spirit of mutual solidarity, we can build an even more promising future together.