Agadir initiative, best starting point for south mediterranean integration
Morocco-Regional, Politics, 4/24/2002

Morocco on Tuesday stressed that the Agadir initiative is the best starting point for a genuine regional integration in the south Mediterranean.

The initiative, named after the Moroccan southern city of Agadir where it was born, seeks to set up a free trade area between Arab-Mediterranean countries. It was signed in 2001 by Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia.

The free trade zone remains open to other Arab states and Algeria, Libya, Mauritania, Syria, Lebanon and Palestine are expected to join the drive.

"The Agadir process is the best starting point for a genuine regional integration in the South Mediterranean," Moroccan secretary of state for foreign affairs and cooperation, Taieb Fassi Fihri, told the Euro-Mediterranean conference, held April 22-23 in Valence, Spain.

"The Agadir process is the most advanced sub-regional integration drive. Its entry into force is imminent," said Fihri.

The official called for promoting foreign investments and reinforcing sub-regional integration experiments part of the Euro-Mediterranean partnership.

Fihri also touched on the issue of immigration. He called, in this connection, for a global and integrated approach revolving around overture, freedom, solidarity, non-discrimination and the respect of human rights and universal values.

Morocco believes that illegal immigration arouses worries and sometimes divergences, he said, imputing the issue to the development gaps between the two shores of the Mediterranean.

For Morocco, the issue should not be handled from a purely security-based approach, he said, adding that Rabat deems it would be more judicious to integrate economic and social development as a basic element to settle the issue.

The struggle against illegal immigration is for Morocco a shared responsibility, he said, calling on all partners to double efforts to fight immigration webs.

Previous Stories:
  Morocco calls for a nuclear-arms-free zone in mideast   (4/20/2002)
  King Mohammed VI Awarded Arab Presidential Ecu for Development Efforts   (4/20/2002)
  King Mohammed receives foreign ministers of Guinea, Liberia, Sierra Leone   (4/8/2002)
  Meeting for free trade zone between Morocco, Tunisia, Egypt, Jordan   (3/30/2002)
  Egyptian-Tunisian higher committee probes implementation of Aghadir agreement   (3/9/2002)
  Moroccan business delegation to travel to Egypt next week   (3/8/2002)
  Morocco, Egypt resolved to upgrade cooperation   (1/18/2002)
  Signatory countries of Agadir declaration on Arab FTA hold meeting in amman   (12/28/2001)

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

Search