Moroccan- Hungarian working session in Rabat
Morocco-Hungary, Politics, 6/9/2000

A Moroccan-Hungarian working session was held on Thursday in Rabat under the co-chairmanship of the two countries Prime Ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Viktor Orban.

In an exchange of addresses, the two prime ministers underlined the need to further promote bilateral cooperation at all levels, especially that their strategic locations make of them "gates to their respective regions."

They stressed that a comprehensive partnership in the frame of the Euro-Mediterranean process would be beneficial to both Morocco and Hungary, which are called, they said, to bolster their economic and cultural ties, through further contacts between economic operators.

Youssoufi laid a special emphasis on the possibility to set up a free-trade area between the two countries and it has been decided to convene a meeting of experts shortly to examine the project and draft the related accord.

The two sides also decided to service a charter flight between the two countries to promote tourism flows both ways.

The Hungarian Premier-- who started Tuesday a three-day official visit to Morocco, the first ever by a Hungarian Prime Minister to the kingdom-- described his talks with Youssoufi as "fruitful and successful." He also spoke of the projected free trade area and said the two sides discussed the enforcement of non-double taxation, the promotion of cooperation in matters of sciences and technology, sports and youth, vocational training, agriculture and water management.

Means to upgrade bilateral cooperation were equally discussed at side talks between the members of the ministerial delegation accompanying the Hungarian Prime Minister and their Moroccan peers.

In this vein, Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs, Taieb Fassi Fihri, and Hungarian assistant secretary of state for foreign affairs, Tomaj Dens, discussed the situation in the Euro-Mediterranean region and dialogue between Morocco and NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization. The two countries' ministers of tourism on their part probed means of promoting cooperation in the sector and increasing the exchange of visits between tour operators and investors.

On Wednesday, Morocco and Hungary set up a business council that will promote trade relations and establish a mutually advantageous economic cooperation.

The council was set up by the Moroccan employers' association "La Confederation Generale des Entreprises du Maroc" and Hungary's Chamber of commerce and Industry.

The council will endeavor to ease procedures for economic operators and investors, increase the exchange of information on trade, economy, investments and legislation, and explore investment and partnership opportunities in both countries.

Previous Stories:
  Hungarian premier meets Moroccan parliament speakers   (6/8/2000)
  Hungarian premier starts visit to Morocco   (6/7/2000)
  Hungarian premier visits Morocco June 6-8   (6/2/2000)

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