The opening ceremony was marked by the Royal Message addressed to the participants of this symposium, which was read by HRH Prince Moulay Rachid.

In this message, the sovereign underlined that continuing the joint action between the Kingdom of Morocco and the State of United Arab Emirates to promote exemplary relations is the best way to show loyalty to the special relationship that existed between Sheikh Zayed and Hassan II - may God bless their souls.

Expressing his appreciation for this initiative to commemorate this great Arab leader, HM the King said that thanks to wisdom and clear-sightedness, Sheikh Zayed contributed to consolidating not only Moroccan-Emirati brotherly bonds, but also unity and solidarity between Arab countries.

"The two sister nations - the Kingdom of Morocco and the United Arab Emirates - have every reason to celebrate this event. Indeed, the relations between the two nations are steeped in history. The foundations of this longstanding relationship were laid by my revered father, His Majesty King Hassan II - may he rest in peace - and His Highness Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan - may God bless his soul," said the sovereign, recalling that Morocco, its King and people have the highest regard for this illustrious leader and his esteemed royal family, whose members have remained ever faithful to the brotherly bonds of loyalty uniting them to my family as well as to the Kingdom of Morocco.

"Guided by a firm belief in a common destiny and the need for solidarity between Arab countries, the leaders of the two nations worked with dedication and goodwill to provide the conditions for the promotion of bilateral and joint Arab action in order to rise to the challenges facing our peoples," HM the King underlined.

For his part, HH Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, president of the UAE, said in a message read on his behalf by ambassador of the UAE Ali Salem Al Kaâbi that "the relations between our two countries and our two peoples are fraternal, and their pillars and bases were laid down by Our Father Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al-Nahyan, and His brother, His Majesty King Hassan II", adding that, thanks to their patriotic spirit and strong will, they have succeeded in establishing a solid foundation for fruitful cooperation and a strategic, exemplary and distinguished partnership.

In this regard, he reiterated the support of the State of the United Arab Emirates to Morocco in its just causes, on top of them the Moroccan Sahara issue, and its rejection of anything that would undermine its security, stability and interests, expressing its support for all the measures taken by the Kingdom to face the challenges threatening the unity of its territory.

The President of the United Arab Emirates noted that the ambitions of the leaders of the two brotherly countries go beyond traditional interests in the political, economical and security fields, to strengthen the "distinguished" fraternal links between the leaders of the two countries and give them a specificity felt by the Moroccan and Emirati peoples, and the consolidation of friendship relations between the two peoples through joint cultural initiatives and actions.

The goal of the organization of this symposium, which is part of this mutual friendship, is presenting Sheikh Zayed to future generations and shedding light on his life and his unforgettable achievements, as well as his role and that of His brother, His Majesty King Hassan II in building this unique complementary experience, said Sheikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, recalling that Morocco was the first country visited by HH Sheikh Zayed after founding the State of the United Arab Emirates in December 1971.

At the end of this ceremony, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid watched a documentary on the relationship late Sheikh Zayed Ben Sultan Al Nahyan had with the Kingdom of Morocco.

At his arrival at the headquarters of Morocco's Academy, HRH Prince Moulay Rachid reviewed a detachment of the auxiliary forces that paid the honors and was greeted mainly by perpetual secretary of Morocco's Academy Abdeljalil Lahjomri and UAE ambassador in Rabat Ali Salem Al Kaâbi.