Spanish minister says visit to Morocco helped define cooperation axes
Morocco-Spain, Politics, 7/10/2003

Spanish agriculture, fisheries and food minister, Miguel Arias Canete, told a joint press conference held in Rabat on Tuesday with general secretary of agriculture and rural development ministry, El Hassan Benabderrazek, that his visit to Morocco helped the two countries define cooperation axes and promote bilateral dialogue.

Canete underlined that it was also an occasion for Spanish business professionals who were part of his delegation to explore with Moroccan peers investment opportunities and facilities offered by the north African country.

Of Morocco's discussions with Spain and the European Union over the agreement on agricultural exchanges, he noted that all sides want to reach "a balanced and mutually-beneficial agreement," stressing that Spain supports Morocco in its negotiations with the European Union.

In the same vein, Benabderrazek said the exchange of visits between the two neighboring countries' officials are an indication to the new climate in Morocco-Spain relations, underscoring that the visit of Morocco's premier, Driss Jettou, to Spain (last month), was meant to "open markets for Moroccan produce and establish a free trade zone that will be a focal point in our relations with Europe."

"Our priorities consist mainly in investment," he stressed.

The Spanish minister also met several Moroccan officials including the prime minister and held talks with the House of Advisers' agriculture and economic affairs committee on bilateral relations in agriculture and fisheries.

The two sides urged for encouraging private initiatives to reinforce economic dialogue between economic operators of the two countries. (MAP)OB/

Previous Stories:
  Palacio in Morocco, Spanish education, agriculture ministers due next in Morocco   (7/5/2003)
  Seminar on Moroccan-Spanish relations to be organized in Spain   (7/4/2003)
  Spain calls for consensual solution to Sahara issue   (7/3/2003)

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