RABAT, Feb. 16 (Xinhua) -- Morocco's King Mohammed VI on Friday congratulated Cyril Ramaphosa on his election as president of the Republic of South Africa.

"I should like to take this opportunity to say how keen I am to work with Your Excellency to strengthen the promising prospects that have recently characterized our ties," the king said in the message.

"We look forward, in the kingdom of Morocco, to opening a new chapter of fruitful cooperation based on constructive dialogue and mutual esteem, one that would reflect the time-honored bonds between our peoples and help us serve their interests and promote unity and progress in our African Continent," the king pointed out.

Last November, Morocco's King Mohammed VI and President of South Africa Jacob Zuma held a historic talk in Abidjan, on the sidelines of the 5th African Union-European Union Summit.

During the talks, the two leaders agreed to work together for a promising future, especially as Morocco and South Africa are two important poles of political stability and economic development.

The relations between the two countries have been tense for decades over conflicting views on many issues.