Jordan's premier ends visit to Morocco
Jordan-Morocco, Politics, 6/18/1998

Jordanian Prime Minister Abdul Salam Majali, left Morocco on Wednesday for Libya at the end of a three-day visit during which he was received by King Hassan II and co-chaired with his Moroccan counterpart the first session of the joint high commission.

Jordan and Morocco signed at the end of the joint commission proceedings on Tuesday several cooperation agreements expected to pave the way for the creation of a free trade zone.

The agreements deal with encouragement of investments, road transport and tourism. The two prime ministers also signed protocols related to rules of origin, health, agriculture, administrative development, cooperatives, security, culture and preservation of historical monuments.

Both Morocco and Jordan support holding an Arab summit as positive for the Arab nation. In a joint press conference, Majali and the Moroccan prime minister, Abderrahame Youssoufi, were of the opinion that good preparation is necessary for the summit in order to draw a clear agenda, topped by the peace process in the Middle East and the Palestinian issue.

For the Jordanian official, the peace process is an irreversible international strategy that needs huge efforts. He acknowledged that several positive results have been achieved despite Israel's obstinacy and its endeavors to refuse and change the peace accords.

He further called for making the needed efforts to open dialogue with the international opinion, including in Israel, on sound and rational bases, hailing the European and American positions which have grown more positive and supportive toward the Palestinian cause.

The Moroccan prime minister said Morocco and Jordan, which have reviewed "means to consolidate Arab solidarity with their Palestinian brothers" share the same evaluation of dangers threatening the peace process. The two countries, Youssoufi went on, are joining efforts to gather conditions for a genuine Arab solidarity that will enable the Arab states to face the "Zionist danger," which consists of altering the Arab and Islamic nature of Jerusalem and extending settlements.

Youssoufi further recalled a statement made by former Israeli premier, Shimon Peres, that the security of Israel is incumbent on the establishment of a Palestinian state and praised the European summit which stressed the need to recognize the Palestinian people' right to self-rule and to an independent state, Map reported.

Majali rejected the notion that the peace process is dead saying that it was facing several obstacles at the same time, but, "The achievements made on the Palestinian track so far should not be ignored." He blamed Israel for the stalemate in the peace process, saying, "The Oslo agreement is the cornerstone to solve the Palestinian issue."

In the statement they released at the end of the joint commission's meeting, the two countries call for the lifting of sanctions enforced against Iraq and Libya and announced plans to carry on efforts and undertake all initiatives to have the embargoes lifted.

The two countries agreed to set up a free-trade zone within 12 years.

Previous Stories:
  Jordan and Morocco sign cooperation agreements   (6/17/1998)
  Jordan's Premier meets Moroccan King   (6/17/1998)
  High joint committee established between Jordan and Morocco   (6/16/1998)

Please add a link on your webiste pointing to ArabicNews.com and bookmark ArabicNews.com & subscribe to our daily email news bulletin.

Search