Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi (left) and his wife, Madam Amal Lahlou, ready to receive guests at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

Moroccan Ambassador to South Korea Mohammed Chraibi and his spouse, Madam Amal Lahlou, hosted a reception at the Lotte Hotel in downtown Seoul on July 30, 2014 to celebrate its national day, "Throne Day."

This year Morocco and South Korea is boasting 52 years of diplomatic relations.

“Throne Day” is the day of accession of King Mohamed VI to the throne in 1999. The day has been celebrated usually on July 30 every year since then.

A large crowd of both international and local Korean guests were invited to the dinner reception. Among them were scores of top foreign envoys serving in Seoul’s diplomatic circle.

Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi (right) poses with Mr. Choi Sung-Ju, S. Korean ambassador for International Security Affairs, at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

Among the VIP guests was Mr. Choi Sung-Ju, ambassador for International Security Affairs, who represented the government of Republic of Korea.

Ambassador Chraibi delivered a welcoming speech and congratulatory address by Ambassador Choi followed.

In the welcoming speech the Moroccan envoy expressed his deep appreciation to the invitees for joining him in the celebration of Morocco’s National Day.

While emphasizing the amicable mutual ties in his speech the Moroccan envoy singled out the role of the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA).

“I would like to seize this opportunity to commend the excellent work done by KOICA in accompanying the development efforts of Morocco through funding sustainable development projects and providing technical assistance and training in various areas,” Ambassador Chraibi said.

Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi (center) and his wife, Madam Amal Lahlou (right), poses with French Ambassador Jérôme Pasquier at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

“I would like to express the wish that our two nations achieve more progress and prosperity, peace and stability. I am confident that they will spare no efforts to consolidate their everlasting ties of friendship and genuine partnership,” he added.

In his congratulatory speech Ambassador Choi congratulated Morocco for having successfully achieved social, political, and economic reforms for democracy over the years.

He recognized the significant and great achievements and progress the two nations have made in promoting cooperation in nearly all sectors since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1962.

In particular he emphasized that people-to-people exchange is on the rise, saying that about 20 to 30 thousand Koreans and Moroccans visit each other’s country annually.

His Majesty Moroccan King Mohammed VI

He went on to mention the active exchanges between the high-level officials of our two countries in 2014.

Vice Speaker of Korean National Assembly Park Byung-Seok and Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee and Mr. Ahn Hong-Joon visited Morocco. Several minister-delegates from Morocco visited South Korea as well.

In a host of cities around the world the 15th anniversary of the “Throne Day” was celebrated with the participation of the local leaders and people. July 30, 2014 marks the 15 year of King Mohammed VI's ascension to the throne.

Back in Morocco, celebrations were held in a variety of ways with hundreds of prisoners were pardoned on the order of its King Mohammed VI on the occasion of his enthronement.

In Rabat, the capital and second largest city of Morocco, Moroccan King Mohammed VI chaired the festivities marking the “Throne Day.”

The King’s address made during a reception at Rabat Royal Palace on the day was broadcast to the nation.

Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi (center) and his wife, Madam Amal Lahlou, poses with President Min Byung-Don (left) of "Wicked Snow" at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

The Bilateral Ties

The bilateral relations between Morocco and South Korea hark back to July of 1962, when the two nations established official ties.

Since then the bilateral ties has been on the steady increase.
The year 2014 marks a significant milestone in the development of bilateral relations between Morocco and South Korea as they celebrate 52 years of diplomatic establishment.

Back in 2001, the Business Council was established to promote economic development between the two nations.

Later in 2010, Morocco and South Korea adopted a triennial work program to further enhance partnership and bilateral trade by taking advantage of the common agendas between the two economies.

Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi (2nd from left) and his wife, Madam Amal Lahlou (to his right), pose with his staff and family members at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

Many Korean companies are currently involved in the construction of power plants in Morocco and will also be participating in infrastructure building projects such as the construction of road, port and high speed railways.

It is noteworthy that in the recent years, major South Korean corporations such as LG, Samsung and Daewoo Engineering have also played an active role in Morocco’s economy through foreign investments, exportation of electronic products and implementation of information technology and security training programs.

Morocco is a country located in North Western Africa and has a population of over 32 million, occupying an area of about 710,850km². Morocco distinguishes itself from other countries with its diverse Arab, Berber, European and African influences.

It possesses about 70 percent of the world’s phosphorus reserves and serves as the largest exporter in that industry.

However, in recent years, Morocco has emerged as an exporter of manufactured and agricultural products, and its popularity as a tourism destination is growing.

For details or inquiries call Ms. Marie-Claire Hong of the Moroccan Embassy in Seoul at 793-6249 or leave her an Email at claire99@empas.com

Moroccan Ambassador to S. Korea Mohammed Chraibi(center) and his wife, Madam Amal Lahlou, pose with S. Korean Ambassador Choi Sung-Ju at 2014 "Throne Day" reception held at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on July 30, 2014.

Full text of Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi’s welcoming speech

Your Excellency Mr. Choi Sung-Ju,
Ambassador for International Security Affairs, representing
the government the Republic of Korea
Your Excellency Mr. Dato Haji Harun Ismail, Ambassador of Brunei and Dean of the Diplomatic Corps,

Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

It gives me a great pleasure to welcome you and thank you for coming tonight to celebrate with us the 15th Anniversary of the ascension of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI to the Throne.
All the Moroccan people are proud and delighted to celebrate this anniversary, a permanent reminder of the long-standing tradition of the act of allegiance, which is a binding contract between the king and the population.

In Morocco, the monarchy is a constantly self-reforming institution and has always been the symbol of the continuity of the State, the defender of its spiritual and moral values and the guarantor of its national unity. It has been, throughout centuries, an instigator and a major stakeholder in the Nation’s development process.

Since the enthronement of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco has undertaken a new generation of comprehensive and ambitious reforms, capitalizing on its people’s unwavering faith in the relevance of the strategic options being made, the credibility of the institutions, the dynamism of society, the sustainability of endeavors and the immutable nature of national values and commitments.

With the adoption by referendum of a new and forward-looking Constitution, in the midst of regional turmoil, Morocco has successfully introduced to the world its “Third Path” model, based on the premises of “constructive change within the irreplaceable framework of continuity and national consensus.”

This path characterizes the singularity of the Moroccan experience that has consolidated the bonds uniting the throne and the people.

Besides the process of political reforms Morocco has embarked on ambitious policies of economic and social development through strategic sectorial plans aiming at developing the domestic and exportable offer, investing in state of the art infrastructures and improving its competitiveness at different levels.

Morocco enjoys a diversified and open economy. A number of preferential and free trade agreements are currently in effect with several countries and regions. Besides, by investing heavily in its infrastructure, Morocco positions itself as a gateway and export platform to a broad market of customers.

Mr. Ambassador
Mr. Dean
Excellencies
Ladies and Gentlemen

Since the establishment of the diplomatic relations in 1962, Morocco and Korea have endeavored to foster these ties in different fields of common interest, on the basis of genuine friendship, mutual understanding and fruitful cooperation.

The excellent relations between our two countries have been given constant impetus through the signing of a number of agreements, the exchanges of visits of high-level officials and the regular holding of the joint commission sessions in both capitals. These cooperation mechanisms have made it possible for the two countries to constantly evaluate bilateral relations, coordinate positions in international forums, sustain each other’s stances within the UN context and ponder on the best ways to make these relations live up to the expectations of our respective leadership.

Although the trade relations between the two countries are in constant progress year after year and given the huge economic potential and business opportunities in the two countries, we believe that extra efforts should be exerted to diversify and enrich the economic relations and establish a new generation of win-win partnerships.

I would like to seize this opportunity to commend the excellent work done by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) in accompanying the development efforts of Morocco through funding sustainable development projects and providing technical assistance and training in various areas.

Finally, I would like to express the wish that our two nations achieve more progress and prosperity, peace and stability. I am confident that they will spare no efforts to consolidate their everlasting ties of friendship and genuine partnership.
Long live Morocco Korean friendship!
Gamsa Hamnida

Congratulation Remark by Ambassador Choi Sung-Ju

Honorable Your Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi
Excellencies, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen,
Assalamu Alaikum
To the Muslim Community, Kullu Am Wa Antum Bi Khair

On behalf of the Government and the people of the Republic of Korea, I am pleased to offer my heartfelt felicitations and congratulations to the Government and people of the Kingdom of Morocco on this 15th anniversary to celebrate the Throne Day of the Kingdom of Morocco. I am very much honored to be here among you today.

As you are all aware, under the leadership of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, Morocco is well on its path to achieve sustainable development, social stability and solidarity while successfully carrying out political and social reforms domestically. Also Morocco has spared no effort in bringing about development and stability in the Middle East and the Africa.

Taking this opportunity, I would like to pay tribute to His Majesty King Mohammed VI for his commitment and effort. I would also like to extend to His Majesty the best wishes for His Majesty’s continued good health and to prosperous future of Morocco.

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, Korea and Morocco have been working together to build strong bilateral ties. For the past 50 years, we have made much progress despite the geographical distance. Trade between our two countries has steadily grown and the scope of cooperation has widened to cover politics, economy, administration and culture.

Furthermore, people-to-people exchange is on the rise; about 20 to 30 thousand Koreans and Moroccans visit each other’s country annually. I look forward to seeing more Moroccans in Korea and more Koreans in Morocco in the coming years.

In particular, we saw active exchanges between the high-level officials of our two countries in 2014. Vice Speaker of Korean National Assembly Mr. Park Byung-Seok and Chairman of Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee in the Korean National Assembly Mr. Ahn Hong Joon visited Morocco, while Morocco’s several Minister-Delegates such as Minister-Delegate for Water, Minister-Delegate for National Education and Vocational Training and Minister-Delegate for Public Service, visited Korea. We are expecting a visit from Senior Advisor to His Majesty King Mohammed VI towards the end of next month. I firmly believe the increased high-level exchanges and broadened cooperation between our two countries will be great assets in developing mutually beneficial relations.
Ladies and Gentlemen,

On this auspicious occasion, I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to His Excellency Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi for his unparalleled contribution to the development of bilateral relations since his arrival in Korea in 2009. I also appreciate the Ambassador’s efforts as Dean of the Arab Diplomatic Corps in Korea, in building stronger relations between Korea and the Arab region.

In closing, once again, I would like to extend my heartfelt congratulations to Morocco on this anniversary of the Throne Day of the Kingdom of Morocco.

And I would like to express my sincere wishes for the continued development of our bilateral relations, and for an everlasting friendship between our two countries.