Brussels, 11/03/2011 (Agence Europe) - On Friday 11 March, European Union leaders welcomed the announcement made by King of Morocco Mohammed VI pertaining to a series of constitutional reforms. French President Nicolas Sarkozy said during his press conference that he saw this as an “exemplary” approach.
“The European Council warmly welcomed the announcement by the King of Morocco” of institutional reforms that should allow Morocco to move further along the road towards a constitutional kingdom and democracy, the French head of state said after the extraordinary European Council on Libya and the wind of reform blowing through the Arab world. Sarkozy was pleased to say that the European Union was unanimous as seeing the Sherifian monarch's approach as an example to be followed in the region.
Delivering an address on Wednesday, the King of Morocco announced ambitious constitutional reform that would mainly entail strengthening the status of the prime minister and extending individual freedoms. Shortly prior to this, the French foreign minister, Alain Juppé, had himself, when speaking during a meeting on Friday with his Moroccan counterpart, Taïeb Fassi Fihri, described this initiative as a “historic turning point” and a “source of inspiration for the region” of the Maghreb. France had, on Thursday, already hailed the King's speech as highly important, responsible and courageous.
Regarding the events unfolding in a number of North African and Gulf countries, it is “our conviction that this is a historic movement to be welcomed”, said Nicolas Sarkozy after the European Council. In their turn, the Arab peoples are demanding democracy, social progress and economic growth. The French president went on to add: “This historic momentum will not stop and will have an impact on all the countries at a rate that only they can decide. Europe, which shares a geographical area, the Mediterranean, with these countries, must be equal to the situation”.
Sarkozy commented that the values expressed by Arab peoples today are values that European nations adopted a long while ago. He said it was in Europe's interest to adapt to these changes, given that they share the Mediterranean with those countries, and also because “we are their neighbours and the first to feel the impact”.
Donald Tusk, Polish Prime Minister, indicated that Morocco is a “positive example”. “Without the pressure of demonstrations and without internal strife”, the King of Morocco has announced quite radical changes to the regime. This positive example is a portent of hope, the Polish prime minister concluded. (L.C./A.By./transl.jl)