King Mohammed VI: UAE-Moroccan ties deep rooted in history

CASABLANCA - King Mohammed VI paid tribute to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, founder of the United Arab Emirates, for his contribution to boosting Moroccan-Emirati bonds, and the unity and solidarity between Arab countries.

In a message addressed to seminar held in Rabat on “Sheikh Zayed and his role in building ties between the United Arab Emirates and Morocco”, the King said relations between Morocco and the UAE are deep rooted in history thanks to the solid foundations that were laid by late King Hassan II and Sheikh Zayed.

Sheikh Zayed served as President of the UAE since the formation of the Federation on 2 December 1971 and as Ruler of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi since 1966.

He died in 2004, in his late eighties, leaving behind a legacy as the father of the nation. He was succeeded as UAE President and as ruler of Abu Dhabi by his eldest son Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan in 2004. 

“My venerable father once said that whenever he wanted to describe relations between the Moroccan people and the people of the UAE, he could not find in the dictionary a more fitting description than that of brotherly, most cordial relations.” Said King Mohammed VI.

“The two peoples are like twins, separated only by geography,” stressed the monarch in a message read out by his brother Prince Moulay Rachid.

Sheikh Zayed’s contributions to humanitarian and charity work and his contribution to the development work in Morocco were highlighted during the seminar in commemoration of the late ruler’s centenary which was organised by the Royal Moroccan Academy and the UAE embassy.

Academicians emphasised Sheikh Zayed’s united thinking and his deep rooted ties with Morocco, a relationship to which the former leader had given a highly valued dimension through an effective contribution to various development projects in the North African kingdom.

Driss Dahak, a member of the Academy, spoke about some aspects of Sheikh Zayed’s life and the considerations that shaped his personality and spirit of solidarity, noting that the late UAE President was lucid and profound.

Dahak said that Sheikh Zayed was able to provide his country with tremendous progress, laying the foundations for a modern state with the most up-to-date international hospitals, leading universities and renowned museums.

Researcher Mubarak Rabie highlighted the specific characteristics of the late ruler's personality, characterised by his openness, his interaction with the environment, his listening and analytical skills, noting that profound changes and the steady progress of the UAE in various fields was largely the result of his efforts.