Moroccan interior, economics ministers confers with Burns
Morocco-USA, Politics, 12/13/2001

Moroccan minister of the interior, Driss Jettou, conferred in Rabat Wednesday with US assistant secretary of state for the Middle East, William Burns, who is visiting Morocco part of a tour in the Middle East and north Africa. Talks covered issues of mutual concern and means to consolidate the longstanding ties of friendship and cooperation binding the two countries.

Both sides voiced appreciation for the relations existing between the two countries and attachment to the fundamental principles of freedom, peace, security and cooperation as the basic principles that must rule international relations.

The US official who started his visit to Morocco also conferred with Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi, minister of foreign affairs and cooperation, Mohamed Benaissa, and minister of economy, finance, privatization and tourism, Fathallah Oualalou.

Morocco has called for the consolidation of economic ties with the United States and for the promotion of US investments in the North African country.

The call was made by Moroccan economy, finance, privatization and tourism minister, Fathallah Oualalou, at a meeting Wednesday with US assistant secretary of state for the Middle-East, William Burns.

Oualalou, who recalled the excellent ties binding the two countries, also stressed the need for the reinforcement of trade between the two countries.

Morocco and the USA are bound by a framework agreement for trade and investment, concluded in 1995 and aiming at establishing economic and commercial cooperation based, among others, on the promotion of investments.

Regionally, Oualalou voiced Morocco's hope that the Eizenstat initiative will be given a new impetus.

The initiative launched in 1998 by Stuart Eizenstat, former US secretary for the treasury, seeks to encourage partnership between Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia on the one hand and the USA on the other.

Previous Stories:
  US administration firmly backs baker's efforts in Sahara, Burns   (12/12/2001)
  King Mohammed receives US assistant secretary of state   (12/12/2001)
  US official starts talks with Moroccan officials   (12/11/2001)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search