Morocco, France voice worry over deteriorating situation in Middle East
Morocco-France, Politics, 5/4/2001

Morocco and France have expressed deep worry over the deterioration of the situation in the Middle East and said they were convinced that violence and excessive use of force do not open any perspective.

In a final declaration issued at the end of the 4th meeting of the Moroccan-French high joint commission held in Paris Thursday, under the co-chairmanship of the two countries' Prime Ministers, Abderrahmane Youssoufi and Lionel Jospin, the two sides called all the parties to reopen dialogue to reach a negotiated settlement, based on international legality and on the land-for-peace principle.

The same worry was expressed by the two Prime Ministers at the joint press conference they held after the commission meeting.

They described the deadlock in the peace process as "tragic" and underlined the "clear disproportion in the use of force."

Jospin said France, like the European Union, seeks first of all to put an end to violence and afterwards, if this is possible, to restore trust. Once this realized, even if we are today pessimistic, we will try to reactivate the negotiation process, Jospin said.

Echoing him, Youssoufi said it is most urgent to endeavor to put an end to the disproportionate violence in the region.

We should all endeavor to end this tragic situation and to see to it that negotiations resume, Youssoufi said.

In the final declaration, the two sides also voiced concern over the situation in Iraq and keenness to promote a lasting and comprehensive solution taking into account the populations' interests and guaranteeing regional stability and security.

As to the situation in Africa, the two sides convened to enhance consultations on issues pertaining to the political and economic challenges thrown at the continent and to explore all possibilities to promote tripartite cooperation with sub-Saharan African countries.

The two countries also decided to consolidate their dialogue on the prevention and settlement of conflicts and on peace maintaining in Africa and in the Balkans.

They will sponsor in the course of 2002 a seminar on peace maintaining operations.

Previous Stories:
  Sahara dossier evolution seems going in right direction, French president   (5/3/2001)
  French president for exemplary cooperation with Morocco   (5/3/2001)
  Call to rethink Moroccan-French cooperation   (5/3/2001)

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