Morocco-US FTA: Government did its best to defend Morocco's interests
Morocco-USA, Economics, 12/29/2004

The Moroccan Government did its best to defend the country's interests during negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that was signed between Rabat and Washington last June 15, said, on Tuesday, Moroccan Communication Minister, Nabil Benabdellah.

The Moroccan official, also government's spokesman, made this statement during a press briefing held at the end of the Government Council.

Asked about sit-ins to be staged by those who oppose the Morocco-US FTA, Benabdellah said the government is open to all parties, particularly "those expressing some reservations concerning the accord."

The government, he said, has presented all guarantees through meetings broadcast on Radio and TV, and direct encounters with the concerned parties to give them the necessary guarantees, proving that the agreement represents no threats to the economic, cultural and social realms.

He recalled that the accord will be submitted to parliament which, he said, would provide the opportunity to deepen debate on its different provisions, notably with those who express reservations about it.

The Moroccan-US FTA, signed after 7 rounds of negotiations, will immediately eliminate tariffs on more than 95 percent of bilateral trade in consumer and industrial products. All remaining tariffs on these goods are to be eliminated within nine years.

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