On the contrary, it is a responsible and rational choice emanating from the importance of the challenges related to the implementation of this operation, "which requires patience and to ensure that the general interest prevails without taking the easy way out," explained the minister in his response to a central question at the House of Advisors.
The return to Morocco of citizens stranded abroad after the closure of borders to stem the spread of the new Coronavirus is an inalienable and non-negotiable right, he said, noting, however, that while this return is a right, responsibility requires that the repatriation operation must be well prepared and conducted in the best conditions.
Repatriation, he added, requires not only the mobilization of planes and boats and the obtaining of overflight authorizations, but also the gathering of all the means to ensure that this return takes place in the best sanitary conditions for the persons concerned, their families and their entourage.
Following the favorable evolution of the epidemiological situation in Morocco, Bourita went on, the public authorities have begun the meticulous preparation of all the stages of this repatriation, including the identification of the persons concerned and the elaboration of modalities for managing their return and isolation.
For the minister, if Morocco is on the right path to control the health situation related to the pandemic, it is thanks to the wisdom of HM King Mohammed VI and His personal monitoring of the situation since the appearance of the first case of infection from abroad.
He also noted that the Moroccan approach is based on the principles of solidarity, proactivity, prevention, globality and the primacy of citizens' health over other aspects of life, adding that the Kingdom has developed a 100 per cent Moroccan response to this pandemic, a response that capitalizes on best practices at the regional or international level, but without any mimicry or blind conformity.
As part of the implementation of this royal vision, said the minister, Moroccan diplomacy has been involved in the national mobilization to curb the spread of the virus, adding that the consular services of his department have given great interest in accompanying and supporting Moroccans stranded outside their country.
He also drew attention to the fact that Moroccan diplomacy has also contributed, through its network and relations, to the strengthening of the national health system by providing it with quality medical equipment and diagnostic devices with the necessary guarantees.
In addition to these actions, Bourita added, Moroccan diplomacy has supported HM the King's solidarity initiatives with Africa to curb this pandemic, directed international and financial cooperation towards the solidarity Fund set up by the Sovereign to deal with the repercussions of the disease and sensitized the Kingdom's regional and international partners on the importance of Morocco's efforts to defeat this disease.
The closure of the borders, decided by the Kingdom to protect itself against Covid-19, was a necessary decision that had a decisive impact on limiting the spread effect, but, like any other decision, it had collateral effects, especially for Moroccans who were at that moment abroad, he concluded.