In a message sent by the French President to the participants in a Moroccan-French study day on the theme "Mohammed V - De Gaulle: from one Appeal to Another," which opened on Wednesday in Rabat, Sarkozy stressed that "both of them were major figures of the twentieth century," highlighting "the true friendship and mutual esteem shared by General de Gaulle and the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef."
    Sarkozy stressed that "France will never forget the sacrifices of our Moroccan brothers in arms since the France struggle, in 1940, during the terrible battles of La Horgne and Gembloux."
    He added: "Never will France forget how much the Moroccan troops earned the admiration of all, in Tunisia, in France then in Germany, in the final assault against the Third Reich.”
    The French president recalled that "throughout the war, the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef refused any compromise with the Axis forces," adding that he "also opposed the enforcement of anti-Semitic Vichy government.”
   “Two days after the invasion of Poland by the Nazi army, the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef expresses his unreserved support for the French-British allies who waged war on Germany," Sarkozy said.
    In this respect, he said that the Sultan launched, on September 3, 1939, his famous call: "(...) From this day and until the banner of France and that of its allies will be crowned with glory, we owe it an unreserved support.”
    This founding speech, the message continued, gave rise to "a true symbiotic relationship between the Sultan and his people and to an unconditional commitment in the fight for freedom and human dignity led by the Allies.”
    "France wishes to commend the commitment of the Sultan Sidi Mohammed Ben Youssef and his decisive contribution to the liberation of our country," added the French president.
    Sarkozy insisted that “it is up to us to preserve” this memory that France and Morocco share, and “to put it at the service of our future challenges," he said.
    Sarkozy wished every success for the meeting as well as for all the ambitious projects launched by HM King Mohammed VI.
    Held under the High Patronage of HM King Mohammed VI and French President Nicolas Sarkozy, the meeting, which brings together over 300 participants from the two countries, aims at commemorating the works of two great historical figures who have left their mark on the contemporary history of the two countries, HM Mohammed V and General Charles de Gaulle.