Morocco's premier starts working visit to France
Morocco-France, Politics, 10/1/1998

In his first official trip abroad since he took office last March, Morocco's Prime Minister Abderrahmane Youssoufi starts this Thursday a two-day working visit to France, expected to be dominated by economic issues.

On the first day of his visit, Youssoufi met French President Jacques Chirac to whom he conveyed a message from King Hassan II. The head of the Moroccan government described his talks with Chirac, "a friend of Morocco," as "very positive." French sources said Chirac expressed the admiration of France, Europe and the world for ongoing economic and political changes in Morocco.

Talks covered the issue of Morocco's debt, and the French president reassured Morocco that all French authorities were keen on reaching a "positive result as soon as possible."

Several other regional and international issues were covered, mainly the situation in the Middle East.

The Moroccan prime minister is expected to co-chair on Friday with his French peer, Lionel Jospin, the Moroccan-French joint commission. It was the French president who instituted in May 1996 the annual meeting of the two countries' heads of government to confirm "the privileged nature" of bilateral relations and consolidate partnership between the two countries. The first meeting was held in December 1997 in Rabat.

In addition to political dialogue between the two countries, French-Moroccan talks will address major issues of bilateral cooperation: investment, external debt, education, training, territory development, justice and other issues.

Youssoufi will also visit the Paris-based Arab World Institute (IMA) and confer with the institute's officials on preparations for Morocco's year in France to be held in 1999. IMA will host two exhibitions on the presence of French painter Matisse (1869-1954) in Morocco and on the art of living in Morocco. Youssoufi will also talk to representatives of the Moroccan community living in France.

Economic cooperation will dominate the proceedings of the two major encounters: a colloquy sponsored by the French-Moroccan friendship association to be attended by ministers and businessmen of the two countries on partnership and an encounter of entrepreneurs at the French Finance Ministry. A large business delegation is also traveling with prime minister and a series of meetings with French counterparts are planned.

However, economic issues, and especially Morocco's attempts to have its debt owed to France, or a part of it, written off or converted into investments will dominate this crucial visit. Youssoufi had, on several occasions, deplored that Morocco's indebtedness is strangling the country's economy and foiling all development efforts. Morocco's overall debt is estimated at some $20 billion, including $3.4 billion owed to France.

According to Youssoufi, his visit will serve to "make a diagnosis of problems" and deepen collaboration between the two countries. He told foreign journalists that this will be an opportunity to survey cooperation in all fields.

According to French Foreign Minister Hubert Vedrine, the two countries will examine "what needs to be adapted, renovated, reoriented or carried on, or on the contrary, invented from the beginning in some cases."

The French foreign minister, who visited Morocco during September, termed Youssoufi's visit as "promising" and said that relations between the two heads of state are "close and trustful" and bonds between the two countries' prime ministers are full of "understanding and friendliness."

Youssoufi is expected to meet speaker of the National Assembly (French lower legislative chamber), Laurent Fabius, and leaders of French political parties.

Previous Stories:
  French communist party wishes to contribute to Morocco's political experience   (9/30/1998)
  Youssoufi to meet with Chirac in October   (9/28/1998)
  Moroccan minister meets chief of French Development Agency   (9/18/1998)

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