The Prince had read out on Monday a message addressed to the summit by HM King Mohammed VI who stressed that "the idea of instituting this Arab Economic and Social Development Summit was prompted by the desire to respond to the aspirations of Arab peoples and to give substance to an often-proclaimed vision, namely to endow our Arab joint action with an economic, development-oriented dimension that makes Arab citizens the prime focus of our attention and provides them with all they need to lead a dignified life."
The sovereign also expressed resolve to "contribute to promoting and consolidating our promising economic bloc, and to ensure we make the most of the diverse and abundant resources available in our region", regretting that "the Maghreb Union has not so far been in a position to play its natural role and support co-development in Maghreb countries, particularly by ensuring the free movement of people, capital, goods and services."