"At the strategic level, the defence of the Moroccan Sahara - which remains our sacred cause - requires you to act effectively and unremittingly at local, regional and international levels and forums to foil the desperate schemes of the enemies of our country's territorial integrity," the Sovereign said, on Friday, in his speech at the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative year of the eighth term.

HM the King called on the members of Parliament to "muster the full mobilization of the citizens and take measures to enlist further support for our bold autonomy proposal, building, to this end, on party and parliamentary diplomacy, which supports and supplements government diplomacy."

The Sovereign also underlined that "this year's opening of Parliament is marked by a strong resolve to give fresh momentum to the dynamic reform process, and thus continue to build a distinct Moroccan development model in order to fulfil the aspirations of our country’s loyal citizens.”

“Our foremost objective is to promote progress, preserve the nation’s unity and ensure a dignified life for the citizens through development projects. In this respect, I make no distinction between major and minor projects; they all serve the nation and the citizens, especially our youth, impoverished regions and needy segments of the population,” HM the King added.

“Our approach, in this regard, is based on being close to the citizens and ensuring they are mobilized and play an active part in the nation’s development. This approach also involves the launching of various initiatives and making sure elected councils, of which Parliament is the most important institution, maintain high standards of performance,” the Sovereign said.

Full speech of HM King Mohammed VI at the opening of Parliament

HM King Mohammed VI gave, on Friday, an important speech at the opening of the first session of the fourth legislative year of the eighth term.

Here follows the full text of the address delivered before the members of the parliament's two houses: the House of Representatives and the House of Counsellors:

Praise be to God May peace and blessings be upon the Prophet, His Kith and Kin


Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
This year's opening of Parliament is marked by a strong resolve to give fresh momentum to the dynamic reform process, and thus continue to build a distinct Moroccan development model in order to fulfil the aspirations of our country's loyal citizens.

Our foremost objective is to promote progress, preserve the nation’s unity and ensure a dignified life for the citizens through development projects. In this respect, I make no distinction between major and minor projects; they all serve the nation and the citizens, especially our youth, impoverished regions and needy segments of the population.

Our approach, in this regard, is based on being close to the citizens and ensuring they are mobilized and play an active part in the nation’s development. This approach also involves the launching of various initiatives and making sure elected councils, of which Parliament is the most important institution, maintain high standards of performance.

Given this key position held by Parliament, one might ask: To what extent is Parliament discharging its assigned mission as an engine for the promotion of democracy and development?
It is only fair to recognize the positive results achieved by the legislative body thanks to your efforts.
Nevertheless, my ambition and, indeed, that of the Moroccan people is for both the House of Representatives and the House of Counsellors to be at the very heart of this reform process, both at institutional and individual levels.

As regards Parliament, in my first address to this institution, I stressed that to improve its performance, it was necessary to view Parliament as having two Houses rather than perceive it as a legislative institution made up of two separate parliaments.

Political parties and parliamentary groups have, therefore, to be committed to good parliamentary governance, embrace a new political philosophy and promote efficient parliamentary action through regular attendance, good work and effective contributions to address the real concerns of the citizens.

To this end, I should like to stress, once again, the need to enhance parliamentary performance, to make sure there is harmony between the rules and regulations of both Houses, and to ensure the latter complement one another in discharging their mission as a single institution.

Their shared objective should be to ensure efficient lawmaking, proper control and constructive debate on the nation’s key issues, particularly with respect to territorial governance as well as the promotion and preservation of democratic mechanisms for the achievement of development.

As members of parliament, you have to remember that embracing the reform process requires you to keep in mind that you represent - above all - the will of the people. This means that being a member of parliament is not so much a personal privilege as a sacred mission; one requiring you to strive as best you can to find realistic solutions to the pressing issues facing your fellow citizens.

They are, in order of priority, beneficial education, decent housing, medical coverage, a healthy environment and measures to boost investment that creates jobs, within the framework of sustainable human development.

This is why there must be fruitful cooperation between the legislative branch and the executive branch of government, and between a closely-knit majority and a constructive opposition, in a spirit of mutual respect and shared commitment to the provisions of the Constitution, to democratic values, to the sanctity of institutions and to serving nation’s best interests.

Distinguished Members of Parliament,
As I am determined to build the authority of the state on the solid foundation of respect for the rule of law and the pre-eminence of the judiciary, I wish to stress that the new concept of authority I introduced in the address I made on the subject in Casablanca, in October 1999, is still valid.

It is neither a spur-of-the-moment decision to address a temporary situation, nor a mere slogan. This new concept of authority is part of a system of governance. As such, it needs to be implemented at all times, and both its letter and spirit should be upheld.

The new concept of authority is not an isolated notion that applies only to local governments and authorities. This is a comprehensive, binding concept that has to be observed by all state representatives, across the executive, legislative and judicial branches.

Hence, as the First Servant of the nation, I shall continue to make sure this concept is enforced by all those who wield authority in the country, using, to this end, the mechanisms afforded by the law to ensure accountability, initiate legal action and apply sanctions, within the framework of an impartial judicial system.

As much as it is separate from the executive and the legislative branches, the judiciary is an integral part of the authority of the state. This branch is entrusted with ensuring the primacy of the Kingdom’s Constitution and of the rule of law, and also with making sure that the rights of the citizens are upheld, and that they fulfil their obligations.

I must emphasize, in this respect, that the proper implementation of the thorough reform of the legal system does not stop at the government and parliament. It hinges, primarily, on the judges carrying out their mission in a responsible manner.

Similar to the initiative I took regarding the new concept of authority, which is meant to ensure the good governance of public services, I have decided to launch a new concept for the reform of the legal system, under the motto “The Judiciary: Serving the Citizen”.

Through the application of the above motto, we look forward to the advent of a legal system that is close to litigants, that applies simple, rapidly enforceable procedures, that is impartial, that uses modern facilities and that relies on competent, unbiased judges. We want the judiciary to boost development, uphold justice, promote the rule of law and oppose injustice.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
As the world continues to feel the impact of a global economic and financial crisis, we are pressing ahead, in Morocco, with far-reaching reforms in which I expect you to be strongly involved through the enactment of efficient legislation and the exercise of proper parliamentary oversight.

The debate on the appropriation bill remains a defining moment in the consolidation of parliamentary action. This is not just about voting on a budget or figures; what is at stake is the concrete materialization of the nation’s major policy options and development programs.

You have, therefore, to display a keen sense of responsibility and cooperate in constructive ways with the government to find bold solutions to the complex issue of preserving budget balance and maintaining the development momentum, despite the existing constraints and the limited resources available.

At the strategic level, the defence of the Moroccan Sahara - which remains our sacred cause - requires you to act effectively and unremittingly at local, regional and international levels and forums to foil the desperate schemes of the enemies of our country’s territorial integrity.

You also have to muster the full mobilization of the citizens and take measures to enlist further support for our bold autonomy proposal, building, to this end, on party and parliamentary diplomacy, which supports and supplements government diplomacy.

To increase parliament’s contributions to development, I expect you to avail yourselves as much as possible of the advisory opinion of the Economic and Social Council, which will be set up once its full membership has been decided.

I also invite you to give priority to the preparation and adoption of a framework act for the environment and sustainable development, which will be instrumental in guaranteeing our country’s progress, now and into the future.

Ladies and Gentlemen, Distinguished Members of Parliament,
You have to keep in mind that your individual performance, and that of the party you represent, will be assessed at the end of your term of office, in light of the tangible progress made in the area of development.

This should help you to reassert the loftiness of political and parliamentary action and to ensure the rehabilitation of political parties, so that they may carry out their constitutional role, provide guidance to and properly represent the citizens, train qualified elites to run public affairs, and promote responsible citizenship by instilling the principles of fervent defence of - and commitment to - the sacred, immutable values of the nation, its foremost causes and best interests.

"If Allah finds any good in your hearts, He will give you something better". True is the Word of God.

Wasslamu alaikum warahmatullah wabarakatuh.