Forum for the Future to help G8 contribute to MENA region development, minister
Regional-Morocco, Politics, 12/7/2004

Moroccan minister-delegate for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation, Taib Fassi Fihri, said the "Forum for the Future," aims at setting tools that would help the most industrialized countries' group (G8) to contribute to the development process of the Middle East and North Africa region (MENA), and to introduce the necessary reforms.

The Forum, to be held on December 11, will be a space for dialogue and partnership between countries of the region and all members of the G8, said Fihri in an interview published Sunday by "Al Ittihad Al Ichtiraki."

"Morocco insisted that Mauritania and Libya take part in the forum so that the Maghreb be present, as well as other countries like Syria and Lebanon," in order to come up with a future vision for the whole region, he pointed out, saying what is important is that wealthy countries be able to back and accompany this process.

"We consider that reforms should emanate from the region itself, taking into account the needs, specificity and political, social and economic evolution of each country," he said. Fihri pointed out that many of these elements are part of the philosophy of Barcelona process, denying the existence of any contradictions between the "Forum for the Future" and the process of Barcelona.

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