Tunisian secretary of state for foreign affairs in Rabat
Morocco-Tunisia, Politics, 9/7/2000

Tunisian secretary of state for foreign affairs, Tahar Seyoud, arrived in Morocco Wednesday on a three-day visit.

Seyoud told reporters upon arrival that he would examine with Moroccan officials a draft related to bilateral relations that would be submitted to the high joint commission scheduled to meet in Tunis September 21-22.

The Moroccan-Tunisian high joint commission, the highest cooperation body between the two Maghreban states, holds a regular meeting every year, under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' prime ministers, to assess trade exchanges.

Morocco and Tunisia are bound by an agreement setting up a free trade area that was concluded in March 1999. The accord provides for the suppression --as of the signing date-- of all duties on some 2,000 non-agricultural products carrying below 10% customs duty.

The other custom duties will be gradually lowered up to year 2007.

In his statement to reporters, Seyoud said the free-trade area is not the sole goal targeted by the two north African countries which have converging interests and which share the same standpoint regarding relations with Europe and other countries.

Morocco and Tunisia are both bound to the European Union by separate association accords that provide, inter alia, for the creation of free exchange areas by year 2010. Morocco has signed free-trade zone agreements with Jordan and Egypt.

At the level of the Arab world, Morocco is Tunisia's second client and supplier, soaking 10.3 % of Tunisia's exports and providing 12.2 % of its imports.

Morocco's exports to Tunisia are mainly made up of chemical wood paste, soluble coffee, tires, car spare parts, and industrial oils. The kingdom's imports from Tunisia consist of plastic items, electric transformers and TV sets.

Morocco and Tunisia are both member of the Arab Maghreb Union (UMA) that was set up in 1989. The union also musters Algeria, Libya and Mauritania.

Previous Stories:
  Mohammed VI, Ben Ali review cooperation   (5/25/2000)
  Morocco, Tunisia call for a new start of Maghreb union   (5/25/2000)
  King Mohammed, President Ben Ali determined to consolidate bilateral ties   (5/25/2000)

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