Moroccan, Spanish prime ministers satisfied over headway in bilateral ties
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 6/6/2003

Moroccan and Spanish prime ministers, respectively Driss Jettou and Jos? Maria Aznar, said this Thursday they are upbeat on Moroccan-Spanish relations and that their meeting in Los Quintos de Mora (150 km south of Madrid) was "very positive."

They welcomed the results of the joint task groups set up last December in Madrid to ensure a total normalization of bilateral relations. The five groups deal with political issues, immigration and social affairs, delimitation of maritime spaces, economic and cultural relations, and ties between the two countries' civil societies.

The two heads of government further agreed to hold their next high-level meeting in the second half of October.

Spain also voiced its backing to Morocco's bid to hold the 2010 world soccer cup and its total solidarity with Morocco following last May 16 terrorist attacks in Casablanca.

"Our answer to these attacks is clear: We will speed up the pace of reforms and continue on the same path" Jettou says.

He also underscored that Moroccan-Spanish trade exchanges are ever increasing, before reassuring his Spanish peer that Morocco will forever remain Spain's "ideal and privileged partner."

Morocco and Spain resumed in February diplomatic relations after a 15-month spat over Spain's attempts to take over a Mediterranean tiny Island.

Relations started to be tense in October 2001 when Morocco called back "for consultation" its ambassador in Spain following a series of Spanish hostile attitudes toward Morocco, resulting from Morocco's refusal to renew a fisheries agreement with the European Union.

Previous Stories:
  Spain's fm visits Spanish club targeted in casablanca terrorist attacks   (5/23/2003)
  Spanish papers highlight entente atmosphere within Moroccan-Spanish task groups   (5/14/2003)
  Morocco seconds UN efforts to politically settle sahara issue, official says   (5/13/2003)

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