Romania backs political solution to Sahara issue, official
Morocco-Romania, Politics, 4/20/2005

Romania encourages efforts to reach a political solution to the Sahara issue, said visiting Prince Radu Hohenzollern-Veringen, Romania's special representative for integration, cooperation and sustainable development.

"Romania has never recognized SADR" (Sahrawi republic, self-proclaimed by the Polisario separatists) and it has always supported Morocco's territorial integrity, noted the special representative who started on April 13 a seven-day visit to Morocco.

The Sahara conflict is opposing Morocco to the Algeria-backed Polisario Front that claims the separation of Morocco's southern provinces known as the Sahara. The former Spanish colony was recovered by Morocco in 1975 under Madrid Accords, signed with Mauritania and Spain.

The Romanian government considers that the solution to the Sahara question should be reached via political dialogue and political will, said the Romanian official in an interview with MAP. Prince Radu Hohenzollern-Veringen explained that his country has always adopted this stance within the United Nations and as non permanent member of the Security Council.

A political solution, he insisted, is in the interest of the whole region and all concerned parties.

The interview also addressed the reforms ushered in Morocco and the openness policy adopted by the country.

Prince Radu Hohenzollern-Veringen hailed the leadership of King Mohammed VI who managed to introduce reforms "while preserving the country's basic traditional values." (MAP)OB/

Rumanian official proposes creation of Moroccan-Rumanian economic forum

Rabat, Apr.19 (MAP)- Prince Radu Hohenzollern-Veringen, special representative of the Rumanian governement for integration, cooperation and sustainable development has proposed the creation of a Moroccan-Rumanian economic forum as a tool "to promote bilateral economic cooperation."

The forum should bring together business, finance and banking operators, the visiting Rumanian official told MAP, pointing out that he put forward the idea during his meeting in Rabat Monday with Moroccan prime minister, Driss Jettou.

He also said his talks with the Moroccan official surveyed the two countries' economic potential which remains untapped, particularly in the tourism sector, despite the traditional partnership existing between Morocco and Rumania, notably in economy, education and culture.

Trade between the two countries were estimated in 2004 at US$ 47.7 million, with Morocco standing as Rumania's third largest partner in Africa after Egypt and Algeria.

Prince Hohenzollern-Veringen added that his country, located at the crossroads between Europe, the former Soviet states, and the Middle east, provides an ideal platform for Morocco to conquer new European markets.

The promotion of Morocco as a tourism destination should also be explored as a means to stimulate bilateral trade, he went on, vowing to spare no effort to promote bilateral cooperation.

During his stay in Morocco started on April 13, the Rumanian official has visited universities, trade chambers, a car-assembly plant and the port of Casablanca. He also met with several Moroccan officials and business operators.

Previous Stories:
  Romanian PM visit to Morocco postponed   (9/13/2003)
  Moroccan FM received by Romanian president   (7/4/2003)
  Morocco's territorial integrity discussed with Romanian officials   (3/7/2002)

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