Mubarak - King Hassan talks open new horizons for commercial cooperation between Egypt and Morocco
Morocco-Egypt, Politics, 6/14/1999

Two days after condensed discussions held between Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Morocco's King Hassan II in Rabat, either on the bilateral level or at the level of the third session of the high joint committee, the concluding statement of the high committee confirmed the importance of serious implementation of the trade exchange agreement between Arab states and its activation so as to establish an Arab market.

The statement said that the trade exchange agreement between Egypt and Morocco will open horizons for trade exchange between the two states, adding that the two sides have agreed upon convening the fourth session of the supreme committee next year in Cairo.

On the political level, both Morocco and Egypt have underlined the importance that the Israeli government carry out all international legitimacy decisions and the agreements it is committed to. They also called on the United States, the European Union and the international community to condense their efforts to activate the peace process.

Meanwhile, the two sides renewed their opposition to the Israeli settlement policy in the Palestinian Arab territories and all Israeli measures aimed at Judaizing Jerusalem.

The important economic outcomes of Rabat's talks were President Mubarak along with King El-Hassan the second, witnessed the endorsement of 9 new agreements and cooperation protocols, including an air transport agreement; an accord for technical cooperation in petroleum, energy planning, training and exchanging petroleum experiences; an accord for agricultural quarantine and protecting plants; an accord for veterinarian and animal health; a protocol for scientific and technological cooperation; a protocol for health cooperation; an agreement for cooperation in the field of combating crime; a note of understanding for administrative development; and a note for canceling visas granted for diplomatic and important passports.

Moreover, both sides have agreed upon establishing an Egyptian/Moroccan Company called the Egyptian - Moroccan Company for International Trade, aimed at merchandising the two countries' products in other countries and providing opportunities for investment.

They also approved the extension of a Moroccan navigational line between Alexandria and Casablanca starting from June 1, which will link Alexandria to an existing line to Benghazi, Libya.

They also agreed upon exchanging regions of storing the two countries' products where Egypt called for establishing a region for storing its exports to western Africa in Casablanca and El-Garida harbors, while Morocco called for the establishment of a region to store its exports to eastern Africa at Shark El-Tafria in Egypt.

Moreover, they also endorsed an executive program for cooperation between the Moroccan center to activate exports, and a center for upgrading Egyptian exports to help businessmen in the two countries carry out mutual work and to encourage Egyptian and Moroccan companies to participate in establishing trade fairs and exchange visits and delegations with one another.

The two sides also agreed on increasing the number of air trips between Egypt and Morocco to three trips weekly instead of two.

In addition, they addressed the role of Egyptian - Moroccan Business Council, which held its first meeting in February, as they agreed upon holding the second meeting this month. They also agreed on bolstering cooperation between the chambers of trade and tourism in the two countries on the basis that the periodical meeting will be held twice a year.

In light of this new atmosphere it is expected that the volume of trade between the two states will increase to $55 million by the end of the current year, then $100 million by the coming year.

It is expected that this volume will increase to $200 million by the year 2001, where its volume in 1997 did not exceed $15 million.

Rabat and Cairo urged Israel in their joint statement to implement all international resolutions and the accords it subscribed to, invited the peace process cosponsors (USA and Russia) and the European Union to intensify efforts and revive the peace process, Map reported.

They also rejected the Israeli settlement policy in the occupied Palestinian and Arab territories and refused all Israeli attempts to Judaize and annex the city of Al-Quds.

Such practices and measures are juridically and politically null and void, they said, renewing the call to make of the Middle-East a mass destruction arms free area. They urged Israel to adhere to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.

The two sides stressed the need to back the League of Arab States as a fundamental frame for the Arab joint action and hailed the role played by King Hassan II and President Mubarak for the promotion of inter-Arab relations and the consolidation of Arab unity.

In this connection, they called for the establishment of a genuine Arab free exchange zone, as a first step towards the creation of an Arab common market.

Regarding the situation in Iraq, Morocco and Egypt voiced solidarity with the Iraqi people in the sufferings they endure because of the embargo imposed on Iraq.

The two sides, who called for the intensification of international efforts to lift the sanctions as soon as possible, voiced attachment to the settlement of the Iraqi problem peacefully and in accordance with international legality and with the relevant U.N. Security Council resolutions. They likewise called for the preservation of Iraq's sovereignty, unity and security.

Morocco and Egypt also hailed the recent settlement of the Lockerbie issue that opposed Libya to some western countries. They voiced hope that Libya will overcome soon the effects of the issue so that it can contribute to the materialization of Maghreban, Arab and African plans.

Meanwhile, ArabicNews.com learned that Morocco and Egypt agreed on directing invitations to Arab leaders to support convening a summit. Egyptian Foreign Minister Amr Moussa said Egypt seeks to convene a comprehensive Arab summit.

Previous Stories:
  King Hassan II - President Mubarak meeting will serve Arab, peace causes   (6/12/1999)
  Moroccan-Egyptian business council meets in Casablanca   (6/9/1999)
  Mubarak to visit Morocco on Saturday   (6/9/1999)

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