Morocco Advocates for Straits Governance
During a recent United Nations Security Council meeting held in an 'Arria' format, Morocco's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nasser Bourita, emphasized that straits should be viewed as a responsibility rather than a possession of the bordering nations. This statement came as part of a broader initiative to develop a code of conduct for countries adjacent to these crucial maritime corridors. Bourita highlighted the significant role Morocco plays as a coastal state, particularly in managing the Strait of Gibraltar, which serves as one of the world's busiest maritime passages. He noted that approximately 100,000 vessels traverse this strait annually, averaging around 300 ships each day, which translates to a ship passing through every five minutes.
The minister pointed out that maritime traffic in the Strait of Gibraltar outstrips that of the Suez Canal by five times and exceeds Panama Canal traffic by eleven times. Furthermore, the density of shipping in this strait is nearing three times that of the Strait of Hormuz. Bourita articulated Morocco's view of its geographical position—not as a privilege or leverage for coercion but as an international responsibility that fosters cooperation, stability, and development.
In line with this perspective, Bourita urged participants at the meeting to consider crafting an international code of conduct to ensure freedom of navigation, advocating that international maritime passages must remain open, secure, and stable. To facilitate this, he proposed that Morocco host an international forum in collaboration with Bahrain. The goal would be to strengthen adherence to international law, exchange best practices, and mitigate tensions between those who claim ownership of these strategic passages and those who leverage them for coercive purposes. The minister underscored the importance of oceans and seas as vital global infrastructures, which, despite their significance, remain vulnerable to ambitions and malicious schemes.
As reported by hespress.com.
