Moroccan foreign minister confers with Swede officials
Morocco-Sweden, Politics, 6/15/2000

Moroccan foreign affairs and cooperation minister, Mohamed Benaissa, started Wednesday a work visit to Sweden at the invitation of his Swede peer, Ms. Anna Lindh.

Benaissa held upon arrival a meeting with members of the foreign affairs committee at the Swedish parliament on the evolution of relations between Rabat and Stockholm as well as on the issue of Moroccan Sahara and the Arab Maghreb Union.

Benaissa briefed the Swedish committee on the evolution of the national cause and the steps covered in the United Nations settlement plan, which seeks to hold a self-determination referendum in the Moroccan territory.

He surveyed the various efforts exerted by Morocco to reach a settlement to the issue, guaranteeing the right of all Sahrawis, without exception, to be identified and participate in the projected referendum.

Benaissa underlined that the Sahara issue has so far hampered the construction of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA).

UMA --mustering Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania-- has been unable to take off as a full-fledged regional grouping, mainly due to differences among member states.

The Swedish officials voiced admiration for the democratic evolution in Morocco and the efforts made by King Mohammed VI to consolidate the rule of law, democratization and modernization.

Benaissa also held private talks with Swedish peer, Ms. Anna Lindh, on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation.

The two parties decided to set up a joint reflection committee to assess bilateral cooperation and ponder means to further enhance this cooperation.

The two sides also studied international issues of common concern, including the Middle-East peace process and the follow-up of the Africa-Europe Summit.

Benaissa later conferred with Carl Tham, secretary general of the international Olof Palme Center, which seeks to promote human rights and development around the world.

Previous Stories:
  Moroccan foreign minister on visit to Sweden   (6/13/2000)
  Swedish delegation winds up visit to Morocco   (5/8/2000)
  Moroccan premier confers with Swede MPs, NGOs activists   (5/4/2000)

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